NHS Reforms Continue To Come Under Fire

The Liberal Democrats are set to demand significant changes to the proposed NHS reforms including the scrapping of the Competition Commission.

This comes in the wake of a damaging verdict from former NHS chief executive Lord Crisp, who has urged the coalition to scrap the Health and Social Care Bill.

‘I think it’s unnecessary in many ways and I think it misses the point,’ said Crisp, ‘I think it’s unfortunately setting the NHS back.’

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham also attacked the bill saying, “It turns the NHS into a market and that’s why we’re seeing such huge opposition from patients and professionals.’

Recent polls have also shown a significant drop in support for the Conservation party since the possible reforms were announced with Labour leader Ed Miliband urging Lib Dems to join with his party in ‘wrecking the reforms.’

Despite the growing unrest chancellor George Osborne was standing firm, “we are absolutely going to proceed with the health reforms because it is all about making the nation healthier and protecting and safeguarding our NHS for the future.”

Andrew Mitchell, international development secretary, admitted that the under fire health secretary Andrew Lansley struggled to explain how the reforms would actually work.

“I think all of us, not just Andrew, all of us have to do better in explaining why these reforms are taking place but these reforms stem from an absolute and total commitment to the National Health Service.”

The Lords will debate aspects of the bill on Wednesday.

(H)