NHS Reforms Could 'Destroy Services' - Sky News

12:16pm UK, Saturday May 14, 2011

The senior doctor leading a review into the Government's health service reforms has warned they could "destroy essential services".

Plans to reform the NHS have divided opinion

Professor Steve Field is the chairman of the NHS Future Forum - the group set up to examine the changes.

He said that proposals by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to increase competition within the health service would be "destabilising".

"If you had a free market, that would destroy essential services in very big hospitals but also might destroy the services that need to be provided in small hospitals," he said.

"The risk in going forward (with the Bill) as it is, is (of) destabilising the NHS at a local level. It would lead to some hospitals not being able to continue as they are."

Nick Clegg could veto the plans

However, in a statement issued through the Department of Health, Professor Field insisted that final decisions on their report had not been made.

He said the group "continues to welcome any thoughts".

Mr Lansley's health and social care bill has divided opinion and ministers have paused its progress, promising "substantial change".

There is speculation that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg could veto the legislation as parts of the bill are deeply unpopular with some Liberal Democrat MPs and activists.

It is thought to be part of efforts to demonstrate greater influence by his party on the coalition after the Lib Dems fared badly in local elections.

On Wednesday, 42 family doctors called on the Government to press ahead with the bill.

The GPs argued that much of the criticism had been misinformed and that the plans will "modernise" the health service and make it more "effective and accountable".