Royal College of Nursing: We have very serious concerns over NHS reforms

Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, casts doubt on David Cameron's suggestion that he has support from nurses on NHS reform:

"While we acknowledge that the government have listened to our members in a number of areas, we still have very serious concerns about where these reforms leave a health service already facing an unprecedented financial challenge.

"At a time when the NHS needs to find £20bn in efficiencies, tackle waste, work harder to prevent ill-health and deal with an ageing population, we are telling MPs that this bill risks creating a new and expensive bureaucracy and fragmenting care.

"This fragmentation risks making inequalities worse, and preventing health providers from collaborating in the interests of patients. As the bill enters this final phase, we will be working to ensure that there are checks and balances to avoid these very real risks."