26.09.19
New NHS reform proposals a ‘welcome step forward’
NHS bodies have welcomed a new proposal for reform published today by NHS England and NHS Improvement, intended to speed up implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Plans include more collaborative and integrated working between clinical commissioners, provider organisations and other partners.
Responding to the proposals for legislative reform, Julie Wood, chief executive of NHS Clinical Commissioners said: “We are pleased to lend our support to the recommendations being put forward by NHS England/Improvement for an NHS Bill.
“Our members have been clear for some time that certain changes to legislation are needed to really accelerate integrated working between clinical commissioners and their partners.
“This legislation will speed up the integration of care and remove the inefficient parts of the system that distract from delivery of the best possible care.
“The breadth of support for the proposals from across the health sector, including those organisations that represent clinical commissioners, providers, local authorities, but also regulators, think tanks and unions, demonstrates the commitment to the principles of collaboration and integration from all.”
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “This is a good start – we need much more effective integration if we are to create a health and care service that can meet the needs of patients and respond to rising demand for care.
“Changes to legislation alone will not deliver the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan – so much will depend on the quality of local relationships between different parts of the system. But this is a welcome step forward.
“And, as ever, the success of any reforms will come down to the detail and there is still work to be done to flesh out some of the proposals.”