NHS reforms to face criticism from MPs

The Commons Health Committee are expected to say the proposals were obstructing efforts to make the NHS more efficient and failed to address the needs of an ageing population.

According to the Observer, the committee, chaired by Conservative former health secretary Stephen Dorrell had concluded the plan to restructure the NHS in England and devolve more power to GPs was making it more difficult to achieve the target of £20bn in efficiency savings by 2014-15.

It quoted a “late draft” of the committee’s report as saying: “The reorganisation process continues to complicate the push for efficiency gains.

“Although it may have facilitated savings in some cases we heard that it more often creates disruption and distraction that hinders the ability of organisations to consider truly effective ways of reforming service delivery and releasing savings.”

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley stepped out to defend the controversial health bill on Thursday after the main medical unions representing nurses and midwives called for it to be scrapped completely.

Health Minister Simon Burns told Channel 4 News the status quo is not an option: The NHS has constantly got to evolve because of the growing ageing population, the escalating drugs bill and medical science is improving the treatment of conditions and the stabilisation of long term illnesses.

We have to make sure the NHS is on a sustainable future to meet those challenges.

‘A damning indictment’

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said it was now clear Mr Lansley’s reform plan had been a “monumental mistake” and called for a government rethink.

“This report is a damning indictment of the government’s mishandling of the NHS,” he said.

“It is time for David Cameron to listen to what doctors, nurses and now his own senior MPs are saying and call a halt to this reckless reorganisation.”

Health Minister Simon Burns, however, insisted the government was determined to put the NHS on a sustainable footing.

“We all know the NHS is facing pressures from an ageing population and the increasing costs of medicines. That’s why we are spending an extra £12.5bn on the NHS. We have also made £7bn in efficiency savings as performance has improved,” he said.

“These will all help in the short term, but if we are to put the NHS on a sustainable footing for the future reform is essential. Our modernisation plan will put doctors in charge, slash bureaucracy and give much more power to patients.”