Peers reject foundation hospitals
Peers in the House of Lords have voted against the Government’s controversial plans to introduce foundation hospitals, despite the Commons marginally backing the legislation on the same day.
Earlier on Wednesday, MPs backed the plans by just 17 votes – 302 votes to 285 – the smallest majority during Tony Blair’s term of office.
But the Upper House voted by 169 to 101 against the plans outlined in the Health and Social Care Bill. The Bill now goes back to the Commons for another vote.
The Government wants to reward top-performing hospitals with greater financial freedom.
But critics say foundation hospitals will lead inexorably to a two-tier health service.
Earlier in this month, the Lords voted against a clause on foundation trusts, defeating the Government by 150 to 100.
Tory health spokesman Tim Yeo MP said the Government had won the vote in the Commons by deploying “bully boy tactics”, flying ministers from Australia and relying on Scottish Labour MPs, whose electorate would not feel the full brunt of the legislation.
Health Secretary Dr John Reid called Mr Yeo a “pathetically bad loser.”
Separately, peers also rejected clauses in the Criminal Justice Bill.
