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Press release: Response to statement regarding patient choice

06 Dec 2001

Commenting on Alan Milburn's announcement of the patient choice pilot and health authority allocations today in the House, NHS Confederation acting chief executive, Nigel Edwards said, "The NHS Confederation made similar proposals in the debate on the NHS Plan 18 months ago. The principle of money reflecting patient choice will help make the best use of the limited capacity we have in the NHS. The problem, however, remains our shortage of key staff.

He continued: "There are also practical issues that need to be dealt with - not least that the envisaged growth in private sector provision does not provide incentives for staff to leave the NHS.

Edwards closed, "the laws of supply and demand mean that there is a danger that the increase in spending could raise private sector costs as well as increasing capacity."

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts, health authorities and local health groups in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

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