Criticism rages as govt publishes health reforms
By Ian Dunt
Controversial plans to reform the NHS will be laid before parliament later, despite claims that they will wreak havoc in the health service.
The plans have been subject to an ever-growing chorus of criticism this week, as unions, medical experts and MPs branded them problematic and rushed.
Much of the criticism has centred on how the plans were not revealed to voters either before the election or in the coalition agreement.
But health secretary Andrew Lansley said the reform would trigger radical improvements in the NHS.
“Our ambition is simple – to deliver care for patients which is the best of anywhere in the world on the NHS,” he said.
Under the plans GPs’ consortia will be handed control over planning and buying local services from primary care trusts (PCTs).
The process will lead to the scrapping of PCTs and ten regional health authorities, but opponents say that GPs are inexperienced in buying services and are already overworked.
Several medical unions, the Commons health committee, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing have all attacked the plans.
Labour has warned that the reforms are part of an effort to privatise the NHS.
