NHS reforms: David Cameron unveils key changes

PM abandons some key reforms and pledges changes to deadlines, competition, funding and waiting times David Cameron has tried to allay the concerns of Liberal Democrats and the medical profession over the NHS reforms by unveiling a raft of changes to the bill. As negotiations with Nick Clegg intensify, ahead of the publication of the NHS Future Forum report next week, the prime minister abandoned key elements of the health secretary Andrew Lansley’s original blueprint. In a speech to members of the medical profession at University College London Hospital, Cameron announced the junking of Lansley’s original 2013 reforms deadline. There will also be changes to the health and social care bill to make clear that the main duty of the health regulator, Monitor, will be to promote the interests of patients rather than promoting competition. The prime minister announced four key changes designed to ensure Clegg can whip Lib Dem MPs and peers to back the amended health and social care bill. Cameron’s main points to the Clinical Neurological Centre at UCLH involved: Competition The health and social care bill will be amended to make clear that the primary role of the health regulator, Monitor, is not to promote competition but to promote the interests of patients and will “use competition as a means to that end”. Cameron said: “Now, as our legislation stands, Monitor, the health regulator, has a duty to promote competition. This could be misinterpreted and we don’t want any doubt in anyone’s mind. “Monitor’s main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use healthcare services and it will use competition as a means to that end. Not simply tasked to promote it or prevent it, but to secure the service patients need. It will be tasked with creating a genuine level playing field, so the best providers flourish and patients get a real choice.” The prime minister stressed that competition was an important way to improve services as he praised Tony Blair for opening up the NHS to private providers. But he added: “Let me be clear: no, we will not be selling off the NHS, we will not be moving towards an insurance scheme, we will not introduce an American-style private system.” Deadline Lansley’s original 2013 deadline for the creation of new GP-led commissioning consortiums, due to take charge of 65% of the NHS budget, will be junked. “We will make sure local commissioning only goes ahead when groups of GPs are good and ready, and we will give them the help they need to get there.” Commissioning Clinical commissioning will be opened up, with hospital doctors and nurses involved. New clinical senates will be introduced to allow groups of doctors and healthcare professionals to “take an overview of the integration of care” across a wide area. Cameron said: “We will not break up or hinder efficient and integrated care, we will improve it. And that means making changes to our current proposals. Hospital doctors and nurses will be involved in clinical commissioning. “We will also introduce clinical senates where groups of doctors and healthcare professionals come together to take an overview of the integration of care across a wide area.” In a key declaration, Cameron added: “Our changes will now secure clinically led commissioning, not just GP-led commissioning.” Waiting times The 18-week limit on waiting times, enshrined in the NHS constitution, will be kept. “Waiting times really matter … we’re keeping the 18-week limit. That’s in the NHS contract and constitution. And it’s staying.” Spending The prime minister also offered assurances that his pre-election pledge to increase NHS spending in real terms would be kept. “This year, and the year after, and the year after that, the money going into the NHS will actually increase in real terms with £11.5bn more in cash for the NHS in 2015 than in 2010.” Need for reforms While the prime minister said he was amending the original Lansley blueprint, he insisted real reforms would still be introduced. “We have to change the NHS to avoid a crisis tomorrow. That is what will happen if we don’t. More overstretch, more over-crowding, the NHS buckling under the pressure of an ageing population and the rising costs of treatments.” Cameron had two audiences in mind, both of which have the power to destroy the health and social care bill: members of the medical profession and the Lib Dems. His four-point plan is designed to meet the “requirements” for change outlined by Dr Evan Harris, the former Lib Dem MP who has led his party’s rebellion against the plans. Harris is to be consulted by Clegg later this week as the deputy prime minister finalises negotiations with Cameron ahead of a planned joint response shortly after Dr Steve Field, the chairman of the Future Forum, publishes his report next week. NHS Health David Cameron Nick Clegg Liberal Democrats Conservatives Andrew Lansley Health policy Public services policy GPs Doctors Healthcare industry Nicholas Watt guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 7, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.