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Nurses 'no confidence' in Lansley Nurses 'no confidence' in Health Minister Andrew Lansley
(40 minutes later)
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News
Nurses have passed a motion of no confidence in the health secretary.Nurses have passed a motion of no confidence in the health secretary.
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.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 is to meet a group of 50 nurses in Liverpool rather than address the whole conference there, prompting some critics to question his nerve. Mr Lansley is to meet a group of 50 nurses in Liverpool rather than address the whole conference there, prompting some nurses to question his nerve.
But he said he was there to listen to them on "how we can improve the bill", which Labour said should be "junked". But he said he would be listening to them on "how we can improve the bill", which Labour said should be "junked".
Angry 'Time to oppose'
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 about the reforms and the way the government was 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."
In response to the vote on the motion of no confidence - which 478 delegates backed, six opposed and on which there were 13 abstentions - Mr Lansley said: "The nurses' union support the principles.
"But I know from listening to them that they want further nurse involvement in decisions. So do I. And I understand their concerns. We are listening to nurses and will make improvements."
But he added: "There isn't an option to do nothing if we want to sustain the NHS for future generations."
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.
Consultation
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 saw 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. Mr Miliband warned the plans would put hospitals at risk and lead to staff losing the power to do what they believed was best for patients.
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. "The answer to a bad bill is not to slow it down, but to junk it," he added.
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." In the morning, Mr Lansley met voluntary sector chiefs in Downing Street to discuss how they can get involved in delivering services.
He was then due to 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.
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. 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.
He added: "The answer to a bad bill is not to slow it down, but to junk it."