NHS reform and cuts: special report

As MPs call on the Government to take a scalpel to its controversial NHS reform bill, Nick Clegg admits that doctors may not be ready to take over responsibility for funding decisions by 2013.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley delays the NHS reforms amid criticism of the “chaotic” plans. A leading GP tells Channel 4 News change is welcome, but patients and doctors are “totally confused”.

The coalition government is said to be preparing to agree some changes to the controversial NHS reform bill in an attempt to appease the growing number of its critics.

Channel 4 News looks at how patients with multiple ailments in England could face massive and at times unaffordable prescriptions where elsewhere in the UK charges are now abolished.

Two leading health experts write for Channel 4 News on the NHS reforms, warning they could destroy the principles on which the NHS was founded and leave it as a brand name and funding agency only.

Doctors have urged the Health Secretary to abandon plans for a radical overhaul of the NHS. But the BMA stopped short of embarrassing Andrew Lansley further with a vote of no confidence.

As the Coalition pursues its plans for fundamental reform of the NHS, Wendell Potter warns that Britain must be careful not to follow America too far down the road of the profit motive.

Doctors are worried that NHS reforms do not include enough checks and balances to make sure patients are getting the best service, Channel 4 News understands.

Conflict of interest fears in the NHS reforms could “utterly destroy” the trust between doctors and patients, the Patients Association tells Channel 4 News, as doctors also raise concerns.

NHS frontline blog: rather than improvement, “choice” in the NHS could lead to a two tier system, with the poor and sick at the bottom, writes trauma surgeon Catherine Blake for Channel 4 News.

A Channel 4 News investigation reveals that under the reforms of the NHS, GPs could end up making decisions based on profit rather than the clinical needs of the patient.

More than 50,000 NHS jobs will be lost over the next five years due to Government spending cuts, a campaign group claims, as Channel 4 News finds mental health services could be badly hit.

Trust hospitals and primary care trusts are still failing to comply with patient safety alerts despite a warning a year ago that doing so was mandatory, Channel 4 News learns.

Trust hospitals and primary care trusts are still failing to comply with patient safety alerts despite a warning a year ago that doing so was mandatory, Channel 4 News learns.

The NHS is failing to treat elderly patients with care and respect, a report reveals, as charities explain to Channel 4 News that negative attitudes to older people are a problem across society.