GPs 'Dig In' Against Reforms As Debate Looms

GPs have continued their opposition of the sweeping reforms to the NHS proposed by the Government as a crucial House of Lords debate on the issue begins on Tuesday morning.

A survey published just ahead of the debate found that most GPs think the Health and Social Care Bill should be withdrawn.

The Royal College of GPs survey of nearly 2,000 doctors found more than half believed the reforms would increase private sector involvement - while just 4% said they would lead to better care for patients.

Baroness Shirley Williams, Lord David Owen and Lord Peter Hennessy are expected to seek amendments to the Government's controversial proposals, while Lord Owen has called for peers to be given time to conduct a full select committee investigation.

The findings of the RCGP survey are in stark contrast to another survey, published by the Government, also ahead of the debate, which claims their proposals are justified after patients agreed they wanted "more choice".

The survey, conducted by the Department of Health, said it had found that over 80% of patients wanted more choice over their treatment by the NHS.

The Government said that under their "modernisation" plans, patients would be able to choose where and which NHS consultant team provided their hospital care.

"This is clear evidence that patients want more choice and control over their healthcare, which is exactly what our plans to modernise the NHS are all about," a spokesman said.

However, GPs remain opposed to the plan, which includes proposals for a bigger private sector role and the shifting of budgetary responsibilities and management onto the shoulders of GPs, instead of qualified clinical managers.

When the proposals where first announced, Medical Professional Research group Nuffield Trust carried out another survey among doctors that found two thirds felt "fundamental change" in the NHS was necessary.

It also found that two thirds of doctors thought that the current pace of reforms was too fast while a large majority did not think the reforms were essential to achieving the required efficiency savings in the NHS.

(DW/CD)