U-turn over NHS reforms denied in face of backlash

Downing Street yesterday denied mounting speculation over another coalition U-turn.

But David Cameron will launch a “listening exercise” this week in an attempt to reassure critics of the radical shake-up which will see GPs take control of commissioning services.

Government sources claimed the move did not herald any fundamental concessions, or that Ministers were planning a “pause” of up to three months in the reform programme.

There was speculation yesterday that new measures could be drawn up to increase public accountability over GPs, who will get responsibility for £80bn in NHS spending from 2013.

Untested plans to use competition to improve patient care could also be watered down in response to concerns hospitals risk losing key services if private providers cherrypick care.

The Prime Minister will share a platform with his Lib Dem deputy Nick Clegg and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to announce the latest consultation following crisis talks last week at which senior NHS figures stressed again that the reforms programme could trigger financial instability.

The coalition is expected to propose a series of public meetings for Ministers to try to explain the proposals and reassure people worried about privatisation “by the back door” and a lack of accountability.

Lib Dem leaders are struggling to deal with grassroots anger over the plans, which were overwhelmingly rejected at the party’s spring conference in Sheffield last month. Tories MPs are also believed to have attacked the measures at a backbench meeting with Mr Cameron last week, warning the flagship Health & Social Care Bill faces a savaging in the Lords.

The plans have come under heavy fire from doctors, nurses, NHS managers, patient groups and experts in the health field amid criticism they could lead to the break-up of the NHS.

Opponents have also warned the changes could be a major distraction as health chiefs look to find an unprecedented £20bn of savings in the next four years, prompting warnings the NHS could plunge into financial chaos.

Yesterday Shadow Health Secretary John Healey said the coalition should have built on the reforms Labour had put in place, rather than trying to make a “big break” with the past.

“The problem now is there is a growing confusion, a growing crisis of confidence in the Government’s handling of the health service,” the MP for Wentworth and Dearne said.

“Labour has been making criticism and our opposition clear for some time to this. That is being echoed now by the health select committee, by NHS experts, by doctors, nurses and by politicians of other parties or none.”

Mr Healey said he wanted to see the shake-up scrapped, rather than merely paused.

“Simply doing the wrong things more slowly is not the answer,” he added.

Mr Lansley’s plans are known to have been criticised by Cabinet colleagues and he has come under fire for refusing to accept changes despite his apparent isolation on a number of key issues.

The Conservatives sought to neutralise the NHS as an issue at the General Election by pledging to increase spending in real terms although even that has been since been undermined.

A Downing Street spokesman said yesterday: “The Government is utterly committed to the NHS and its principles. We are also committed to modernising the NHS. Progress on the ground continues to be impressive.

“The Bill has now successfully finished committee stage in the Commons and there is a natural break before it moves to the Lords.

“We have always been prepared to listen, having already clarified that there is no question of privatisation and that competition will be based on quality, and will continue to do so.”