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NHS bill: Lib Dem peers urge rewrite as surgeons reconsider NHS bill: Lib Dem peers urge rewrite ahead of Lords debate
(40 minutes later)
Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords are launching a new attempt to rewrite the government's controversial plans for the NHS in England.Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords are launching a new attempt to rewrite the government's controversial plans for the NHS in England.
The peers have drawn up amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill, which returns to the Lords for debate later.The peers have drawn up amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill, which returns to the Lords for debate later.
They want to scrap plans to allow the Competition Commission to review the development of competition in the NHS.They want to scrap plans to allow the Competition Commission to review the development of competition in the NHS.
It came as the Royal College of Surgeons became the latest health group to reassess its position on the bill. It came as members of the Royal College of Surgeons forced an extraordinary meeting on its support for the bill.
Surgeons are to hold an Emergency General Meeting on 8 March to consider their position and could become the latest of the previously supportive groups top withdraw their support. Thirty one members have asked for the meeting, to be held on 8 March, to consider the college's position. It is the latest of the previously supportive groups to meet to discuss their support or to change their position.
The Royal College of Physicians - hospital doctors - are holding a meeting later on Monday to decide whether to ballot their members and at the end of last week the Royal College of Paediatrics, who also attended last week's No 10 summit, withdrew their support.The Royal College of Physicians - hospital doctors - are holding a meeting later on Monday to decide whether to ballot their members and at the end of last week the Royal College of Paediatrics, who also attended last week's No 10 summit, withdrew their support.
The only royal college which is now not consulting on, or opposed to, the bill is the Royal College of Obstetricians.The only royal college which is now not consulting on, or opposed to, the bill is the Royal College of Obstetricians.
The Health and Social Care Bill gives GPs control of much of the NHS budget and would open up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.The Health and Social Care Bill gives GPs control of much of the NHS budget and would open up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector.
The government says its plans will modernise the NHS, improve services and reinvest savings in front-line care.The government says its plans will modernise the NHS, improve services and reinvest savings in front-line care.
It has completed its Commons stages but is having a difficult passage through the House of Lords and is being opposed by many groups representing medical professionals.It has completed its Commons stages but is having a difficult passage through the House of Lords and is being opposed by many groups representing medical professionals.
'Drop the bill''Drop the bill'
Liberal Democrat concerns about the government's plans for the NHS in England helped lead to a pause in the health bill's progress, and several amendments.Liberal Democrat concerns about the government's plans for the NHS in England helped lead to a pause in the health bill's progress, and several amendments.
Last week party president Tim Farron called for the whole section dealing with increased competition to be dropped.Last week party president Tim Farron called for the whole section dealing with increased competition to be dropped.
Now, Lib Dem peers also want a requirement put in place for Foundation Trusts to get permission from their governors before carrying out extra private work.Now, Lib Dem peers also want a requirement put in place for Foundation Trusts to get permission from their governors before carrying out extra private work.
One source told the BBC that ministers were not minded to accept the requests for changes to the bill.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said the source had told him that ministers would not lose sleep over the proposed changes.
Writing in the Times, Labour leader Ed Miliband has renewed his call for the government to drop a bill which he says would create a "vast structure of Byzantine complexity".Writing in the Times, Labour leader Ed Miliband has renewed his call for the government to drop a bill which he says would create a "vast structure of Byzantine complexity".
He wrote: "Even at this late stage the government should drop the bill and adopt an approach that will drive the reforms that the NHS really needs."He wrote: "Even at this late stage the government should drop the bill and adopt an approach that will drive the reforms that the NHS really needs."
Labour peers are expected to force two key votes on the health bill in the Lords on Monday - one on the potential conflict of interests between the commissioning boards' financial and medical interests and one on an "integrated" NHS and providing a unified health service.Labour peers are expected to force two key votes on the health bill in the Lords on Monday - one on the potential conflict of interests between the commissioning boards' financial and medical interests and one on an "integrated" NHS and providing a unified health service.
On Sunday Lord Crisp, a former NHS chief, said the bill was a "mess" and would "set the NHS back".On Sunday Lord Crisp, a former NHS chief, said the bill was a "mess" and would "set the NHS back".
Downing Street say that they do not see the need for any "significant changes" but they indicated on Monday they would not seek to overturn amendments which sought to "clarify" aspects of the legislation.
The spokesman declined to comment on individual amendments, saying he did not want to preempt discussion in the Lords.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Our plans will harness the expertise of local doctors and nurses, who know better than anyone what their patients need.A Department of Health spokesman said: "Our plans will harness the expertise of local doctors and nurses, who know better than anyone what their patients need.
"The proposals promote health in partnership between the NHS and local communities and put local authorities in the driving seat alongside clinicians for improving the health of their communities."The proposals promote health in partnership between the NHS and local communities and put local authorities in the driving seat alongside clinicians for improving the health of their communities.
"Improving integration between all health and care services is a crucial part of modernising the NHS.""Improving integration between all health and care services is a crucial part of modernising the NHS."