This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-12981370

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Fightback begins over NHS plans NHS reforms not a risk, says PM
(40 minutes later)
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News
The government will attempt to wrestle back the initiative on its NHS shake-up in England by launching a "listening exercise" later. The government is not taking risks with the NHS in England, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Prime Minister David Cameron will be joined by his deputy Nick Clegg and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley at the start of the two-month push. At the launch of a new push to convince critics that the reforms are right, he said sticking with the status quo was not an option.
They will aim to present a united front amid widespread criticism about plans. The prime minister was joined by his deputy Nick Clegg and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley as they try to present a united front amid widespread criticism.
The BBC understands they will rule out any U-turn, arguing change is necessary to ensure the NHS can meet demands. Labour has branded the reforms an "expensive PR stunt."
They will say that while the health budget has been protected, the service still needs to make savings to keep pace with the rising pressures from factors such as the ageing population and cost of drugs. Speaking at a hospital in Surrey, Mr Cameron said change was necessary because of rising demands on the health service from factors such as the ageing population.
They have also enlisted Professor Steve Field, the former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, to head up the initiative. The government has also enlisted Professor Steve Field, the former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, to head a panel of health professionals which will lead the "listening exercise".
Under the government's overhaul of the NHS, GPs are to be given control of much of the budget - allowing two tiers of management to be scrapped.Under the government's overhaul of the NHS, GPs are to be given control of much of the budget - allowing two tiers of management to be scrapped.
The NHS is also to be opened up to greater competition.The NHS is also to be opened up to greater competition.
On Monday, Mr Lansley told the House of Commons he wanted to engage with people about the changes before the bill underpinning the reforms returns to Parliament in late spring.On Monday, Mr Lansley told the House of Commons he wanted to engage with people about the changes before the bill underpinning the reforms returns to Parliament in late spring.
The government has already acknowledged it is willing to make amendments.The government has already acknowledged it is willing to make amendments.
But ministers - particularly at the Department of Health - still believe some of the reforms are being misunderstood.But ministers - particularly at the Department of Health - still believe some of the reforms are being misunderstood.
During the next few months they will seek to convince people that the programme does not amount to the privatisation of the health service that some have claimed.During the next few months they will seek to convince people that the programme does not amount to the privatisation of the health service that some have claimed.
In particular, they will stress that the April 2013 deadline is not an absolute cut-off.In particular, they will stress that the April 2013 deadline is not an absolute cut-off.
Instead, the national board, which will be headed by NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson, will have powers to take control of local services where GP consortia are judged to be not up to scratch.Instead, the national board, which will be headed by NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson, will have powers to take control of local services where GP consortia are judged to be not up to scratch.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Clegg said the government was serious about listening to the concerns. Mr Cameron said on Wednesday: "I'm in politics not to take risks with the NHS but to safeguard and improve the NHS for today and future generations.
"It is not just a question of presentation. This is also a question of making substantive changes to the legislation at the end of this two-month process." "If we want to keep the NHS free at the point of use we have to make it more efficient - sticking with the status quo is not going to work."
He said changes would be made to the governance of GP consortia and to ensure that private companies do not 'cherrypick' the most profitable parts of the NHS.
One option being seriously considered is the idea of inviting other experts to get involved in the consortia.One option being seriously considered is the idea of inviting other experts to get involved in the consortia.
This was proposed by the House of Commons' health committee on Tuesday.This was proposed by the House of Commons' health committee on Tuesday.
'PR stunt' criticism'PR stunt' criticism
The cross-party group of MPs said involving the likes of hospital doctors, public health chiefs and councillors would improve accountability and decision-making.The cross-party group of MPs said involving the likes of hospital doctors, public health chiefs and councillors would improve accountability and decision-making.
But the listening exercise has been criticised by Labour.But the listening exercise has been criticised by Labour.
Shadow health secretary John Healey said: "The test now is whether David Cameron will recognise the very wide concerns and respond with radical surgery to the health bill."Shadow health secretary John Healey said: "The test now is whether David Cameron will recognise the very wide concerns and respond with radical surgery to the health bill."
But he added that he remained doubtful, suggesting that the government had failed to listen during the official consultation on the changes and during debates in Parliament.But he added that he remained doubtful, suggesting that the government had failed to listen during the official consultation on the changes and during debates in Parliament.
"The pause looks suspiciously like a PR stunt to quell the coalition of criticism.""The pause looks suspiciously like a PR stunt to quell the coalition of criticism."


Comments



Comments

You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.
 
 
The only reason we have so large a management structure is to manage the constant change imposed by government, if the NHS was left alone with a long term plan, it would be allowed to become efficient rather than provide a series of short term vote gains. The cost of £2-4 bn will not be covered by efficiency savings as trusts are struggling to find them without cutting services.The only reason we have so large a management structure is to manage the constant change imposed by government, if the NHS was left alone with a long term plan, it would be allowed to become efficient rather than provide a series of short term vote gains. The cost of £2-4 bn will not be covered by efficiency savings as trusts are struggling to find them without cutting services.
Report this comment Report this comment
Link to thisLink to this
    		•
    • There is nothing wrong with the current NHS structure. We just need to look at the current staffing levels and remove any uncessary bean-counters and wasters. The Tories are seeing this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to push massive funds into the private sector. This will be a disaster as GPs cant handle the workload - it will all go to private management companies who will fleece us.There is nothing wrong with the current NHS structure. We just need to look at the current staffing levels and remove any uncessary bean-counters and wasters. The Tories are seeing this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to push massive funds into the private sector. This will be a disaster as GPs cant handle the workload - it will all go to private management companies who will fleece us.
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
    		•
    • My wife is a senior nurse at one of the NHS's (indeed the World's) best Hospitals.In common with Her senior Medical Counterparts and associated clinical specialists were dismayed that Budget for Hospital based care should be purely at the whim of GP's.Most GP's frankly become so for financial reasons (it pays on average 100% more than being a Hospital based Doctor).This must change.My wife is a senior nurse at one of the NHS's (indeed the World's) best Hospitals.In common with Her senior Medical Counterparts and associated clinical specialists were dismayed that Budget for Hospital based care should be purely at the whim of GP's.Most GP's frankly become so for financial reasons (it pays on average 100% more than being a Hospital based Doctor).This must change.
    Report this comment Report this comment
    Link to thisLink to this
           
    Add your commentAdd your comment
    You are not currently signed in. or register.You are not currently signed in. or register.