Britain’s NHS Reform Bill Comes Under Heavy Criticism

It also resulted in a bloated and opaque piece of legislation, whose goals could have largely been achieved by other, more effective, means.”

“Rather than relying on policy makers to build brave new worlds in back rooms, we need a broad public debate on the principles that should underpin the NHS, how decisions on priorities should be made in a cash-limited system, and what role clinicians and private sector organizations could and should play,” they added. “This debate will require restraint on behalf of all involved if it is to escape being characterized yet again by polarized views, (often disguised) vested interest, political point scoring and conspiracy theories to the benefit of none.”

The Health and Social Care Bill proposed by the Conservative-led coalition government on January 19, 2012, represents the biggest shake-up of the NHS since its inception 64 years ago, and it will be implemented against the backdrop of the biggest financial challenge in its history. Following the reform, most of the NHS budget will be go to general practitioners (GPs), through GP consortia, who, as independent contractors, will be responsible for commissioning treatment and care for patients in line with guidance set by the newly proposed national NHS commissioning board.

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National Health Service
The Health and Social Care Bill