13.01.12
Survey reveals NHS reforms concerns
An email poll has revealed that members of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) still have serious concerns over the NHS reforms, which will see clincians and their chosen commissioning support organisations put in charge of much of the NHS budget.
The Department of Health dismissed the survey as flawed and unrepresentative.
More than half said the reforms would not result in more cost-effective delivery of care and more than three quarters said that the reforms would not reduce bureaucracy in the NHS. Almost all of the members surveyed said they would support the RCGP in collaboration with other medical colleges in calling for the Health & Social Care Bill to be withdrawn.
Dr Clare Gerada, chairman of the RCGP, said: “These results speak volumes about how our members – across theUK– feel about these reforms, and the effect they will have on the NHS, and the care we provide to our patients.
“This survey makes it clear that if any changes made are not strong enough to address these concerns, there is strong support within the profession not only for us to call for more change urgently but also, should the situation warrant it, for the withdrawal of the Bill itself.”
The College wants the Secretary of State’s existing duty to provide, or secure the provision of, a comprehensive health service throughout England, to be retained, and wants restrictions on competition and safeguards for training and education.
Andy Burnham, shadow health secretary, said: “As we approach the first-year anniversary of the introduction of this Bill into Parliament, it is clear that the Government’s attempts to build a professional consensus behind it have abjectly failed. People will ask how plans that were meant to be based around GPs can possibly succeed when only two out of a hundred support them.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “This is a flawed and unrepresentative survey. It allows people to vote as many times as they want and it includes views from people all over theUK, when the Bill is only relevant toEngland.
“We have already addressed the concerns raised by the RCGP, including making clear we are willing to put beyond doubt the Secretary of State remains accountable overall for the NHS.”
The RCGP survey results come in time to reiterate their concerns as the Report Stage of the Bill is expected to be held in the House of Lords at the end of January.
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