Pressure mounts on government to further amend NHS reforms bill
LONDON - The Lords will debate some of the controversial aspects of the Health and Social Care Bill on Wednesday as the Liberal Democrats
launch a last-ditch attempt to seek significant changes to the proposed National Health Services (NHS) reforms including the scrapping of the Competition Commission.
The debate in the Lords comes in the wake of a damaging verdict from former NHS chief executive Lord Crisp, who has urged the coalition to scrap Bill.
'I think it's unnecessary in many ways and I think it misses the point,' said Crisp.
Baroness Williams, who led opposition to the bill in the second chamber, and Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron have said they are intent on
stripping the bill of its provisions for increasing competition in the NHS.
The first effort reportedly takes place Monday, with Lib Dem peers tabling amendments curtailing the Competition Commission's influence in the NHS.
They are also pushing for a requirement for foundation trusts to get permission from governors before carrying out extra private work.
There will also be crunch votes on conflicts of interest and integration of services both to be watched closely for signs of rebellion.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham has also attacked the bill saying, "It turns the NHS into a market and that's why we're seeing such huge opposition from patients and professionals."
Recent opinion polls have shown a significant drop in support for the Conservation party since the possible reforms were announced with Labour leader Ed Miliband urging Lib Dems to join with his party in "wrecking the reforms".
Despite the growing unrest chancellor George Osborne was standing firm, "We are absolutely going to proceed with the health reforms
because it is all about making the nation healthier and protecting and safeguarding our NHS for the future."
"All of us have to do better in explaining why these reforms are taking place but these reforms stem from an absolute and total commitment to the National Health Service," said Andrew Mitchell,
international development secretary, referring to health secretary Andrew Lansley's failure to do a convincing job of explaining the
proposed reforms.
Once Lords agree on amendments, it will be pass the legislation back to the Commons. While it is probably too late to stop the legislation,peers can still significantly limit its effects with a series of carefully structured amendments.
Without significant concessions in the Commons, however, the Lords amendments can be voted down by the coalition.
The Royal College of Physicians at a meeting Monday will take a call on whether it would support a call to scrap the draft legislation.
A growing number of medical bodies have condemned the legislation that as already been heavily amended.
If the Royal College of Physicians joins them it will be particularly damaging because of its association with the government during the
drafting of the reforms proposals.
The British Medical Association is meanwhile mulling show of opposition over the pension proposals.
Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote in the Times on Monday: "Only political pride is preventing this prime minister from dropping his bill. If he ploughs on, he will not only destroy trust in himself, he will also prevent the real change that the NHS needs."
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