All care providers would have to be registered

A new regulator - to be known as Ofcare - is to be created in 2008 as part of a programme which would see existing, smaller regulatory bodies abolished.

The bill would require all care providers to be registered.

Tory leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of proposing reviews one moment, and legislation the next.

Ofcare would replace the existing Healthcare Commission, the Mental Health Act Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection - a move which is expected to cut costs.

In addition to setting up Ofcare, the Health and Social Care bill would see the bodies which regulate doctors using the civil, rather than the criminal, standard of proof in disciplinary cases.

This is a proposal which the British Medical Association (BMA) rejects, arguing it will lead to a "a loss of professionally-led regulation".

BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "Patient safety is paramount, but if any future system is to work it has to have the confidence of the doctors being regulated.

"Our members will strongly oppose any proposal to use a lesser standard of proof when their whole career is on the line."

'Bogus' review?

All health and social care organisations which employ doctors would also be asked to appoint someone who would work with the General Medical Council "to identify and handle cases of poor professional performance by doctors".

Also included in the bill is a proposal to make a payment to all women in their 29th week of pregnancy, although the sums involved were not detailed.

"So alongside the NHS review announced last week, the Health and Social Care Bill will create a stronger health and social care regulator with a clear remit to ensure improved access, clean and safe services and high quality care," said Mr Brown.

Mr Cameron said: "A week ago it was fundamental review of the NHS, today he's promised fundamental legislation about the NHS.

"Now either the review is bogus, or the legislation hasn't been thought through."

David Rogers, chairman of the Local Government Association's community and wellbeing board, meanwhile welcomed the proposals.

"As health and social care become more integrated, the need to dovetail inspection and regulation is clear," he said.