25.04.13
Opponents to competition regulations lose by 108 votes
Attempts to overthrow the section 75 competition regulations for the NHS have failed, with opponents defeated 254 votes to 146.
Ahead of the vote over 300,000 people had signed a petition against the regulations, calling for them to be annulled. Labour warned that the move would open up all NHS services to market competition.
Lord Owen told peers: “Don't think this is a minor step. If this goes through the National Health Service as we have seen it, as we have believed in it, as we have persuaded the electorate that we support it, will be massively changed.
“It will take five, 10, 15, maybe 20 years, but unless we pull back from this whole attitude there will be no National Health Service that any of us can recognise. I for one feel tonight one feeling only – overwhelming sadness.”
Chief executive of the NHS Partners Network David Worskett said: “We are pleased that the misguided attempt to annul the Section 75 Regulations has been defeated and that the NHS will now have the clarification and specialist regulatory oversight that is needed in the interests of patients.
“Now that that the position is clear we are confident that when new commissioners see the need for innovation and integration they will be able to, and will indeed want to, use effective procurement processes to select the best services for their patients from a range of options, including those offered by the independent sector.”
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