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Nurses 'no confidence' in Lansley Nurses 'no confidence' in Lansley
(40 minutes later)
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has been given a vote of no confidence by nurses. Nurses have passed a motion of no confidence in the health secretary.
Delegates at the Royal College of Nursing conference overwhelmingly backed a motion questioning his handling of the NHS reforms in England. Some 96% of 497 delegates at the Royal College of Nursing conference backed a motion questioning Andrew Lansley's handling of NHS reforms in England.
Mr Lansley said he was visting the conference to "listen to them about how we can improve the bill". Mr Lansley is to meet a group of 50 nurses in Liverpool rather than address the whole conference there, prompting some critics to question his nerve.
But instead of addressing the whole conference he will meet a group of 50 nurses separately. But he said he was there to listen to them on "how we can improve the bill", which Labour said should be "junked".
The decision has prompted some to question his nerve.
AngryAngry
During the debate on the overhaul of the NHS, nurses said they were angry over the reforms and the way the government is running its new "listening exercise".During the debate on the overhaul of the NHS, nurses said they were angry over the reforms and the way the government is running its new "listening exercise".
David Dawes, a nurse from Manchester, said the RCN had tried to engage with government in the past, adding he did not believe the it was interested in changing its plans so now was time "to oppose".David Dawes, a nurse from Manchester, said the RCN had tried to engage with government in the past, adding he did not believe the it was interested in changing its plans so now was time "to oppose".
Zeba Arif, a mental health nurse from London, said: "Reform means making it better. Is this making it better? No it is not."Zeba Arif, a mental health nurse from London, said: "Reform means making it better. Is this making it better? No it is not."
And Bethann Siviter, a nurse who now works in Birmingham after moving to England from the US, added: "If this goes forward the NHS is dying. I come from a country with private health care. Don't go there."And Bethann Siviter, a nurse who now works in Birmingham after moving to England from the US, added: "If this goes forward the NHS is dying. I come from a country with private health care. Don't go there."
Under the shake-up, GPs are to be given control of much of the NHS budget, while greater competition with the private sector will be encouraged.Under the shake-up, GPs are to be given control of much of the NHS budget, while greater competition with the private sector will be encouraged.
But critics, including the Royal College of Nursing, have warned the changes could undermine the NHS.But critics, including the Royal College of Nursing, have warned the changes could undermine the NHS.
ConsultationConsultation
After months of attacks, the government said last week it would run another consultation, even though the bill underpinning the changes has already started progressing through Parliament.After months of attacks, the government said last week it would run another consultation, even though the bill underpinning the changes has already started progressing through Parliament.
Wednesday marks the first significant step in that process - and will also see Labour leader Ed Miliband make a speech about the NHS.Wednesday marks the first significant step in that process - and will also see Labour leader Ed Miliband make a speech about the NHS.
In the morning, Mr Lansley is meeting voluntary sector chiefs in Downing Street to discuss how they can get involved in delivering services.In the morning, Mr Lansley is meeting voluntary sector chiefs in Downing Street to discuss how they can get involved in delivering services.
He will then travel to Liverpool to meet nurses. But instead of addressing the entire conference - as public health minister Anne Milton did on Tuesday - he will meet a group of 50 nurses representing all parts of the UK.He will then travel to Liverpool to meet nurses. But instead of addressing the entire conference - as public health minister Anne Milton did on Tuesday - he will meet a group of 50 nurses representing all parts of the UK.
Mr Lansley said: "Their general secretary said to me he supports the bill. They want improvements and I think that's where we all are."
The decision to attend the smaller meeting has caused anger among delegates at the conference.The decision to attend the smaller meeting has caused anger among delegates at the conference.
Julian Newell, an A&E nurse from Sheffield, said: "I think it's a shame Andrew Lansley does not have the guts to come up and face congress as a whole."Julian Newell, an A&E nurse from Sheffield, said: "I think it's a shame Andrew Lansley does not have the guts to come up and face congress as a whole."
RCN general secretary Peter Carter also questioned the decision. "It's his judgment call, he feels it's better but he is going to get stick from congress. Congress is going to interpret it as him not having the courage to speak to them."RCN general secretary Peter Carter also questioned the decision. "It's his judgment call, he feels it's better but he is going to get stick from congress. Congress is going to interpret it as him not having the courage to speak to them."
But a Department of Health spokeswoman defended the decision. She said Ms Milton, as a former nurse, was the right person to address delegates, allowing the health secretary to come and "listen and reflect" rather than lecture.But a Department of Health spokeswoman defended the decision. She said Ms Milton, as a former nurse, was the right person to address delegates, allowing the health secretary to come and "listen and reflect" rather than lecture.
She added: "Nurses are the backbone of our NHS. As a demonstration of our support, two government ministers are attending congress."She added: "Nurses are the backbone of our NHS. As a demonstration of our support, two government ministers are attending congress."
But Labour leader Ed Miliband said the government should scrap its plans, warning they would put hospitals at risk and lead to staff losing the power to do what they believed was best for patients.But Labour leader Ed Miliband said the government should scrap its plans, warning they would put hospitals at risk and lead to staff losing the power to do what they believed was best for patients.
He added: "The answer to a bad bill is not to slow it down, but to junk it."He added: "The answer to a bad bill is not to slow it down, but to junk it."