Clegg talks tough on NHS reform
By Ian Dunt
Nick Clegg has issued the toughest language on the NHS reforms yet, promising “substantial” changes to appease its critics.
The deputy prime minister made the comments during a frantic day in Westminster, as he promoted his social mobility agenda, answered deputy prime minister’s questions in the Commons, and ran the country in the absence of David Cameron, who is in Pakistan.
A bill scrapping primary care trusts, forcing GPs to commission medical purchases and introducing more competition to the NHS was put on pause yesterday after the chorus of disapproval from medical experts, unions and opposition parties forced the government to back down.
Mr Clegg insisted that the idea of granting GPs commissioning power was a good one but promised to listen to people’s concerns.
“It is a rather good idea to have them in the driving seat, rather than unaccountable officials who are moving money around from one side of the desk to the other,” he said.
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“But, yes, with responsibility must come more accountability, which is precisely why we will be looking at these concerns, and will be looking to amend the legislation to reflect that.”
He told the BBC: “The NHS is not the government’s property. We want people to feel comfortable with the changes, which will strengthen, and not weaken, the NHS.
“There isn’t going to be a bargain-basement rush to the bottom, because there isn’t going to be competition based on price.
“We want to be very, very clear – we’re not going to allow cherry-picking. We’re certainly not going to allow vital parts of the NHS, like A&E, to be suddenly open to competition.”
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While hardly a retraction of the government’s position, Mr Clegg’s comments are the most unequivocal since the debate on the reforms began. He and Mr Cameron are thought to be intent on salvaging the bill by offering significant concessions and spending some months answering concerns about the plans.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley admitted there were some “genuine” concerns about the reforms in the Commons yesterday.
“We recognise that this speed of progress has brought with it some substantive concerns,” he told MPs.
“Some of those concerns are misplaced or based on misrepresentations but we recognise that some are genuine.
“We propose to take the opportunity to take a natural break in the passage of the Bill – to pause, to listen and to engage with all those who want the NHS to succeeed.”
