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NHS changes: Critics 'not invited' to PM's meeting | NHS changes: Critics 'not invited' to PM's meeting |
(about 21 hours later) | |
Some of the fiercest critics of the planned NHS reforms in England say they have not been invited to a meeting about the changes with David Cameron. | Some of the fiercest critics of the planned NHS reforms in England say they have not been invited to a meeting about the changes with David Cameron. |
The British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, which want the bill to be withdrawn, say they have not been asked to Monday's event. | The British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, which want the bill to be withdrawn, say they have not been asked to Monday's event. |
Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Mr Cameron of failing to listen to the experts. | Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Mr Cameron of failing to listen to the experts. |
Downing Street would not disclose who had been invited to the meeting. | Downing Street would not disclose who had been invited to the meeting. |
A spokeswoman said only that it was "a range of national healthcare organisations and clinical commissioning groups". | A spokeswoman said only that it was "a range of national healthcare organisations and clinical commissioning groups". |
The BMA said in a statement: "If there is such an event, it would seem odd if the major bodies representing health professionals were not included." | The BMA said in a statement: "If there is such an event, it would seem odd if the major bodies representing health professionals were not included." |
The prime minister is insisting he will press ahead with the reforms despite widespread criticism. | The prime minister is insisting he will press ahead with the reforms despite widespread criticism. |
Under the proposals, family doctors will have more control over their budgets and there will be a greater role for the private sector. | Under the proposals, family doctors will have more control over their budgets and there will be a greater role for the private sector. |
But the government has had difficulties getting the bill through the House of Lords and - despite offering more than 100 concessions - still faces strong opposition. | But the government has had difficulties getting the bill through the House of Lords and - despite offering more than 100 concessions - still faces strong opposition. |
Among the bodies calling for the bill to be withdrawn is the Royal College of Nursing, which said it was not aware of having received an invitation to Monday's meeting. | Among the bodies calling for the bill to be withdrawn is the Royal College of Nursing, which said it was not aware of having received an invitation to Monday's meeting. |
The Royal College of GPs also says it is not invited, which its chairwoman, Clare Gerada, said was a great shame given it represented the largest body of GPs in England. | The Royal College of GPs also says it is not invited, which its chairwoman, Clare Gerada, said was a great shame given it represented the largest body of GPs in England. |
'Work together' | 'Work together' |
She said: "I'm surprised because at this sort of time we need to work together. | She said: "I'm surprised because at this sort of time we need to work together. |
"We've all got to work together to make the NHS better and whatever happens to these reforms, we have to work to make sure our patients continue to get a very good service from their health care." | "We've all got to work together to make the NHS better and whatever happens to these reforms, we have to work to make sure our patients continue to get a very good service from their health care." |
Mr Miliband said at the Welsh Labour conference: "You don't get progress on the NHS by shutting the door of Downing Street on doctors, nurses and patients' groups. It's not the actions of a prime minister to exclude from an NHS meeting the people who are the experts on the health service." | Mr Miliband said at the Welsh Labour conference: "You don't get progress on the NHS by shutting the door of Downing Street on doctors, nurses and patients' groups. It's not the actions of a prime minister to exclude from an NHS meeting the people who are the experts on the health service." |
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "This has all the hallmarks of an event thrown together in a last-ditch desperate bid to shore up collapsing support for the bill." | Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "This has all the hallmarks of an event thrown together in a last-ditch desperate bid to shore up collapsing support for the bill." |
He suggested the prime minister had snubbed some of the groups because he "wouldn't like what they've got to say". | He suggested the prime minister had snubbed some of the groups because he "wouldn't like what they've got to say". |
However, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: "This forms part of the government's ongoing dialogue with health practitioners about the implementation of these reforms." | However, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: "This forms part of the government's ongoing dialogue with health practitioners about the implementation of these reforms." |
On Friday, members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health joined several Royal Medical Colleges, including the Royal College of GPs, in calling for the bill to be scrapped. | |
Unions, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives are among those who also want it to be withdrawn. | Unions, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives are among those who also want it to be withdrawn. |
Earlier this week Downing Street insisted ministers were fully behind the reforms and rejected suggestions that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley should be sacked. | Earlier this week Downing Street insisted ministers were fully behind the reforms and rejected suggestions that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley should be sacked. |
Mr Cameron said on Sunday he strongly supported the founding principles of the NHS, including "health care for all, free at the point of use, unrelated to the ability to pay". | Mr Cameron said on Sunday he strongly supported the founding principles of the NHS, including "health care for all, free at the point of use, unrelated to the ability to pay". |
More than 142,000 people, including footballer Rio Ferdinand, have signed an e-petition calling for the bill to be dropped. | More than 142,000 people, including footballer Rio Ferdinand, have signed an e-petition calling for the bill to be dropped. |