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NHS bill eligible for new parliament debate after 100,000 sign e-petition NHS bill eligible for new parliament debate after 100,000 sign e-petition
(40 minutes later)
The government's controversial NHS bill is now eligible for a new debate in parliament after a campaigner's e-petition gathered support on Tuesday at the rate of more than 1,000 signatures an hour.The government's controversial NHS bill is now eligible for a new debate in parliament after a campaigner's e-petition gathered support on Tuesday at the rate of more than 1,000 signatures an hour.
With more than 100,000 signing up, GP Kailash Chand's appeal calling on government "to drop its health and social care bill" has been boosted by support from celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Oliver.With more than 100,000 signing up, GP Kailash Chand's appeal calling on government "to drop its health and social care bill" has been boosted by support from celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Oliver.
The internet round robin has also been backed by digital campaigners – known as clicktivists – at 38 degrees.The internet round robin has also been backed by digital campaigners – known as clicktivists – at 38 degrees.
Once it crossed the 100,000 threshold, ministers have to consider the issue for debate in the Commons.Once it crossed the 100,000 threshold, ministers have to consider the issue for debate in the Commons.
"I wanted people to get a simple message. This bill is about privatisation. Do you want to drop it?" said Chand, who described the surge in support as a "Valentine present to someone who loves the NHS"."I wanted people to get a simple message. This bill is about privatisation. Do you want to drop it?" said Chand, who described the surge in support as a "Valentine present to someone who loves the NHS".
There was more bad news for Andrew Lansley after a GP in Cambridge who had been feted by the health secretary as a model for the new-look NHS asked to "get rid of the bill". The Institute of Healthcare Management - which represents NHS managers also published results of its survey showing 87% of members say the bill is "fundamentally flawed"
Peter Bailey, whose practice sits in Lansley's constituency, writes in the BMJ that GPs are "being set up" as they are asked to take over jobs previously done at PCTs without sufficient skills or time to do so, while simultaneously trying to save £20bn.
Bailey, who retired in January, says that "setting the NHS free was the slogan, but what it was really about was setting the politicians free."
"I told the prime minister and Andrew Lansley that the scheme would not work. They noted my concern as they say."
Another professional body - the Institute of Healthcare Management - which represents NHS managers also published results of its survey showing 87% of members say the bill is "fundamentally flawed"
The institute joins the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nurses, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and other bodies in calling for the bill – currently before the Lords – to be scrapped.The institute joins the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nurses, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and other bodies in calling for the bill – currently before the Lords – to be scrapped.