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NHS changes: PM to host talks on implementing plans NHS changes: PM to host talks on implementing plans
(about 3 hours later)
  
The prime minister will meet healthcare professionals in Downing Street later to push the case for the government's highly contentious changes to the NHS.The prime minister will meet healthcare professionals in Downing Street later to push the case for the government's highly contentious changes to the NHS.
But opponents of the bill, including the British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing, complain they have been excluded from the event.But opponents of the bill, including the British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing, complain they have been excluded from the event.
Labour accused David Cameron of closing the door of No 10 to its critics. Labour accused David Cameron of having a "bunker mentality".
However, the government said the event was a chance to meet groups who were already "constructively engaged". However, the government said the event would be a chance to meet groups who were already "constructively engaged".
Proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill include giving GPs control of much of the NHS budget and opening up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.Proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill include giving GPs control of much of the NHS budget and opening up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.
These have proved controversial. 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.These have proved controversial. 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.
'Not sensible''Not sensible'
Unions and professional bodies, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal College of Midwives, are also among those who also want it to be withdrawn.Unions and professional bodies, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal College of Midwives, are also among those who also want it to be withdrawn.
Peter Carter, from the RCN, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme his organisation was committed to working with the government, but said it had "huge reservations" about the bill.Peter Carter, from the RCN, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme his organisation was committed to working with the government, but said it had "huge reservations" about the bill.
He said: "We really don't think it's a sensible way forward to think that you can have a meeting which has been called an emergency summit to take things forward without involving many of the key organisations that are intrinsic to making sure the NHS is successful."He said: "We really don't think it's a sensible way forward to think that you can have a meeting which has been called an emergency summit to take things forward without involving many of the key organisations that are intrinsic to making sure the NHS is successful."
Health minister Simon Burns responded by saying the RCN had been consulted and Dr Carter himself had spoken to Mr Cameron on the telephone last month.Health minister Simon Burns responded by saying the RCN had been consulted and Dr Carter himself had spoken to Mr Cameron on the telephone last month.
"On this occasion we are meeting those organisations who are constructively engaged in implementing the modernisation," he said."On this occasion we are meeting those organisations who are constructively engaged in implementing the modernisation," he said.
He ruled out dropping any part of the bill and added: "The NHS has got to evolve to meet its challenges and the whole bill is a package that interacts with each other within that legislation to move forward that process."He ruled out dropping any part of the bill and added: "The NHS has got to evolve to meet its challenges and the whole bill is a package that interacts with each other within that legislation to move forward that process."
Labour opposes the bill and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham criticised the prime minister for holding discussions about the implementation of plans not yet on the statute book. A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister had no plans to meet those health groups opposed to the NHS changes, but added that he was "listening to health professionals about how we can implement the reforms we have set out".
"It may sound like a small point to David Cameron but I wish to remind him that he doesn't yet have Parliament's permission to implement reforms nobody wants and for which no-one voted," Mr Burnham said. He said the government had held "countless meetings with health professionals and would continue to do so".
"This has all the hallmarks of an event thrown together in a last-ditch, desperate bid to shore up collapsing support for the bill. Labour opposes the bill and party leader Ed Miliband said: "This bunker mentality is the wrong way to run the NHS...
"It would appear to be so last-minute that a number of important organisations have been left off the invite list, or maybe it's because the PM wouldn't like what they've got to say." "It's not too late to start listening to the doctors, the nurses and the midwives. It's not too late to listen to patients."
He added that the prime minister "should drop his bill and get round the table with everyone who cares about the future of the NHS, including those who work in the health service and other political parties".
'Won't shut up''Won't shut up'
In a statement on the meeting, the British Medical Association said: "It would seem odd if the major bodies representing health professionals were not included."In a statement on the meeting, the British Medical Association said: "It would seem odd if the major bodies representing health professionals were not included."
Sarah Gorton, the senior national officer for health at the public sector union Unison, said: "Health workers should have their voices heard when major changes to the health service are being discussed.Sarah Gorton, the senior national officer for health at the public sector union Unison, said: "Health workers should have their voices heard when major changes to the health service are being discussed.
"Clearly, Unison has not been invited because David Cameron and Andrew Lansley do not want to hear what we've got to say. But they need to face up to the truth that the bill is damaging for patients and for the NHS. Excluding our voices will not shut us up.""Clearly, Unison has not been invited because David Cameron and Andrew Lansley do not want to hear what we've got to say. But they need to face up to the truth that the bill is damaging for patients and for the NHS. Excluding our voices will not shut us up."
At the meeting the prime minister will point to evidence that emergency hospital admissions have fallen year-on-year for the first time.At the meeting the prime minister will point to evidence that emergency hospital admissions have fallen year-on-year for the first time.
Department of Health figures show a 0.5% decline in 2011, compared with a 36% increase between 2001 and 2010.Department of Health figures show a 0.5% decline in 2011, compared with a 36% increase between 2001 and 2010.
He will stress that, at the same time, GPs have taken a more central role in shaping care for patients and the NHS has moved away from Labour's "targets" culture to the coalition's emphasis on "outcomes".He will stress that, at the same time, GPs have taken a more central role in shaping care for patients and the NHS has moved away from Labour's "targets" culture to the coalition's emphasis on "outcomes".