After months of debate and rejection of the bill in the House of Lords, it was finally passed to go into law late last night.

Labour attempted to block the reforms, by calling for the final approval to be delayed until the potential risks to the NHS were thrown out by 82 votes.

During the final Commons debate, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said, "The only hope that I can give to people worried about the future of the NHS today is that this might be the end of the bill but it is just the beginning of our campaign."

Health secretary Andrew Lansley attacked Labour, calling their opposition to the bill “political opportunism” and that it was “a debate for no purpose”.

Following the vote, health minister Simon Burns added, "We have published two full impact assessments which completely cover all aspects of the legislation." Labour have pledged to overturn the changes if they win the next election.

The reforms will now go to the Queen, who is expected to sign the bill at some point before Easter, making it law.

Under the reforms, Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts will be abolished, GPs will have more power over budgeting, and services will be opened up to the private sector in a bid to improve standards.

However, many professional health bodies have announced that they are against the changes, claiming it will have a negative impact on patients. Members of the worker’s union Unison held a minute’s silence outside Parliament last night in protest.