Thursday, 22 September 2011

Row over PM's NHS bill 'support' claim

Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband clashed over police and the NHS during PMQs Q&A: The NHS shake-up Analysis: Why the NHS wants to move on How the NHS works in rest of UK A row has broken out after David Cameron told MPs that doctors and nurses were now "supporting" government plans to overhaul the NHS in England.

Following the remarks during prime minister's questions, the Royal College of Nursing issued a statement saying it still had "very serious concerns".

The Royal College of GPs said it was "extremely worried" about some aspects.

The health bill cleared its Commons stages on Wednesday, despite criticism from some Lib Dems as well as Labour.

It was approved by MPs by 65 votes, and will now go to the House of Lords where it is expected to face further opposition.

Earlier this year, the government was forced to "pause" the bill while ministers re-consulted on the proposals via a listening exercise called the NHS Future Forum.

A number of changes were subsequently made to the legislation.

'Risks'

But during Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Miliband told the PM that in newspaper articles published this week, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of GPs and the Royal College of Midwives had still "all rejected your bill".

But in his reply, Mr Cameron insisted that "now you've got the Royal College of GPs, the physicians, the nurses, people working in the health service supporting the changes we're making".

Later though, two of the professional bodies mentioned by the prime minister issued statements apparently disputing the comments he had made.

Continue reading the main storyAnalysisNick TriggleHealth correspondent, BBC News

Wednesday - it is fair to say - was another tricky day for the government and its controversial health bill.

The two-day House of Commons debate on the NHS overhaul was always going to attract attention.

But the government's cause was not helped by the choice of words of Health Minister Lord Howe or his boss, the prime minister.

By saying the overhaul presented private groups with "huge opportunities" and it did not matter "one jot" who provided NHS care, Lord Howe invited the wrath of the medical profession.

David Cameron's claim that the reforms were now supported by a host of professional bodies did not help either - they still have a number of serious concerns.

It forced the Department of Health press office back into rebuttal mode as they sought to clarify what both men meant.

Of course, the rows will die down. But with the House of Lords preparing to sink their teeth into the bill next month, the government's troubles are far from over.

Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "While we acknowledge that the government have listened to our members in a number of areas, we still have very serious concerns about where these reforms leave a health service already facing an unprecedented financial challenge."

He said the government had changed the bill in response to calls from nurses, including amending the role of competition in the health service, and he welcomed the commitment made to supporting ongoing professional training.

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