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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brown plans independent NHS board | Brown plans independent NHS board |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown is considering a scheme to create an independent board to take day-to-day control of the NHS, should he become prime minister. | Chancellor Gordon Brown is considering a scheme to create an independent board to take day-to-day control of the NHS, should he become prime minister. |
| His ideas, which he has asked health experts to examine, are central to plans he is said to be considering to devolve power in the public services. | His ideas, which he has asked health experts to examine, are central to plans he is said to be considering to devolve power in the public services. |
| It is not known whether he will refer to the plans at the Labour conference. | It is not known whether he will refer to the plans at the Labour conference. |
| The conference will hear other ministers' proposals for an NHS constitution, like the BBC charter. | The conference will hear other ministers' proposals for an NHS constitution, like the BBC charter. |
| Under Mr Brown's plans for a devolved NHS board, ministers would be kept at arm's length, their role limited to setting the NHS budget and strategic objectives. | Under Mr Brown's plans for a devolved NHS board, ministers would be kept at arm's length, their role limited to setting the NHS budget and strategic objectives. |
| 'Repeat trick' | 'Repeat trick' |
| BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was clear Mr Brown's plans for if he becomes prime minister are emerging. | BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was clear Mr Brown's plans for if he becomes prime minister are emerging. |
| One of the chancellor's close allies, Ed Balls MP, predicted more devolution in public sector services under Mr Brown. | One of the chancellor's close allies, Ed Balls MP, predicted more devolution in public sector services under Mr Brown. |
| Almost anything that would insulate ministers from having to stand up in the House of Commons and defend everything that goes on in the NHS is a good idea Prof Julian Le GrandFormer adviser to Tony Blair href="/1/hi/health/5373096.stm" class="">Why have an independent board? | |
| Our correspondent said the pair believed their decision to make the Bank of England independent had restored trust and allowed the public to see that politicians were prevented from interfering with interest rate decisions. | Our correspondent said the pair believed their decision to make the Bank of England independent had restored trust and allowed the public to see that politicians were prevented from interfering with interest rate decisions. |
| "It is a trick they believe can be repeated elsewhere in government," he said. | "It is a trick they believe can be repeated elsewhere in government," he said. |
| Mr Brown is due to make a key speech to the Labour Party conference on Monday. | Mr Brown is due to make a key speech to the Labour Party conference on Monday. |
| It will be Tony Blair's last conference as prime minister ahead of his resignation some time over the next 12 months. | It will be Tony Blair's last conference as prime minister ahead of his resignation some time over the next 12 months. |
| Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton called for there to be a "challenge" to the chancellor's bid to take on the reigns of the party. | Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton called for there to be a "challenge" to the chancellor's bid to take on the reigns of the party. |
| "I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party," he said. | "I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party," he said. |
| 'Public reassurance' | 'Public reassurance' |
| Meanwhile reports say the new proposal of an NHS constitution will show that Mr Blair is determined to push an ambitious policy agenda before he leaves office. | Meanwhile reports say the new proposal of an NHS constitution will show that Mr Blair is determined to push an ambitious policy agenda before he leaves office. |
| The proposals, which set boundaries over the extent of privatisation, are part of a new package of ideas put forward by MPs, including health minister Andy Burnham and pensions reform minister James Purnell. | The proposals, which set boundaries over the extent of privatisation, are part of a new package of ideas put forward by MPs, including health minister Andy Burnham and pensions reform minister James Purnell. |
| I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party John HuttonWork and Pensions Secretary Hutton urges Brown challenge | |
| The ministers say the NHS would be publicly accountable with less central control. | The ministers say the NHS would be publicly accountable with less central control. |
| Writing in the Guardian, Mr Purnell said the idea of an NHS constitution was an "innovative way" of meeting the challenge of decision-making. | Writing in the Guardian, Mr Purnell said the idea of an NHS constitution was an "innovative way" of meeting the challenge of decision-making. |
| He said: "By publicly enshrining the basic principles that underpin the NHS, such a constitution could provide reassurance for those worried change might go too far. | He said: "By publicly enshrining the basic principles that underpin the NHS, such a constitution could provide reassurance for those worried change might go too far. |
| "If public services are accountable to users, they no longer need to be accountable in detail to central government, meaning fewer targets imposed from the centre, less emphasis on command and control." | "If public services are accountable to users, they no longer need to be accountable in detail to central government, meaning fewer targets imposed from the centre, less emphasis on command and control." |
| Downing Street officials confirmed that Mr Burnham had written a pamphlet fleshing out the idea of a health service charter. | Downing Street officials confirmed that Mr Burnham had written a pamphlet fleshing out the idea of a health service charter. |