Healey lashes 'confusion' over NHS reform

PROPOSED coalition health reforms show “confusion at the heart of Government,” shadow Health Secretary John Healey has claimed.

Plans to disband PCTs and give more power to GPs at grassroots level have come under repeated attack from Wentworth and Dearne member Mr Healey.

In Parliament on Monday he asked Health Secretary Andrew Lansley why the biggest re-organisation in NHS history was not mentioned by the Tories before the election.

Mr Healey said: “Whatever the Government say or do now, there is no mandate, either from the election or the coalition agreement, for this reckless and ideological upheaval in the health service.

“In truth, the Health Secretary is here only because there is a growing crisis of confidence over the far-reaching changes that the Government are making to the NHS.

What do you think of the Governments plans for the NHS? Use the "write a comment" button to post your views.

“There is confusion at the heart of Government, with briefings and counter-briefings on all sides, and patients starting to see the NHS go backwards again under the Tories-with waiting times rising, front-line nursing staff cut and services cut back.”

Mr Lansley responded during the Health Bill debate, saying: “In January John Healey said that he agreed with the aims of the bill.

“At the last election, his manifesto said that he wanted all NHS trusts to become foundation trusts. “It said that he wanted patients to have access to every provider, be it private sector, voluntary sector or NHS-owned.

“Now we do not know what the Labour party's policy is at all, but what I do know is that the Government will give leadership to the NHS, and that we will give the NHS a strategy enabling it to deliver improving results in future.”

READ MORE

Have you see our Lush giveaway? Click here.