Andy Burnham and Sir David Nicholson announced the policy of the NHS as the preferred provider to get patients the best care while looking after NHS staff.
The Act made legislative provisions for some of the 'Next stage review' proposals and established new powers for the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts.
Sir Robert Francis's inquiry followed considerable public concern, loss of confidence in the management of the trust and a highly critical report by the Healthcare Commission.
The new government set out its health and social care priorities: it promised a commission on adult social care funding but did not reflect the ensuing wide-scale NHS reforms.
