Clegg signals NHS reform slowdown

In his first major speech on the health service since first signalling his concerns over the NHS reforms, Nick Clegg stressed that there were no arbitrary deadlines for reform.

He said: “I’m here today to reassure people: yes, there will be reform of the NHS. There must be reform of the NHS. But not change for change’s sake.

“The right reform, making the best of everything that is great in our health service but, equally, taking on the big challenges it faces: making sure the NHS is world-class. Ensuring you get the care you need.”

Change would not happen “overnight”, Mr Clegg said, and he made it clear that GPs would not have to take over from Primary Care Trusts if they were not ready to do so. He suggested the Bill may need to go back to a committee of MPs for further scrutiny.

Nick Clegg has chosen the NHS as a Coalition battleground, as he seeks to remind the electorate of the differences between his party, the Liberal Democrats, and their Coalition partner, the Conservative Party.

But the wrangling over the NHS has not been plain sailing for the Coalition. One Tory minister told Channel 4 News that negotiating with the Liberal Democrats over what they wanted to see in the Bill was like “trying to pin down jelly”.

There must be reform of the NHS. But not change for change’s sake. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

The far-reaching plans for reforming the NHS, introducing competition and handing over power to GPs, are currently on hold as the Government consults further with health professionals.

Competition

In his speech at University College Hospital London, Mr Clegg also addressed one of the key concerns over the Bill – the issue of competition. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley also tried to tackle this fear earlier this week.

Mr Clegg promised: “People want choice: over their GP, where to give birth, which hospital to use. But providing that choice isn’t the same as allowing private companies to cherry-pick NHS services.

“It’s not the same as turning this treasured public service into a competition-driven, dog-eat-dog market where the NHS is flogged off to the highest bidder. Competition can help drive up standards but it is not an end in itself.”

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He said there would be more collaboration, and the Secretary of State would remain ultimately responsible for the NHS. But he added that the full details would have to wait until the end of the “listening” period.

The British Medical Association‘s Richard Vautrey told Channel 4 News that the Bill still needed reform – but there were fears that changes at this late stage could destabilise the NHS further, because many areas have already begun making changes in preparation for reform.

He said: “It’s a huge concern. As soon as the White Paper appeared, people started implementing it as if it was holy writ. For individuals whose jobs have depended on it, where systems have been removed, there has been a huge destabilisation.”

The ideal scenario for the BMA, he said, would be for the founding philosophy of the Bill to change from competition to collaboration. But he said the NHS needed clarity.

“There is complete confusion over who will do what. It’s all in development and there’s no clarity about the final picture.”