Press release: NHS Confederation responds to conservative policy consultation, "setting the NHS free"
11 Mar 2003
In response to the publication of "Setting the NHS Free", Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation said: "This is an important and considered contribution to the current health debate. Many of the issues raised go with the grain of the existing proposals to increasingly shift the balance of power from Whitehall to the frontline."
On proposals relating to the target culture, Gill Morgan stated, "The Confederation has long argued for a radically new approach to the way targets are set, monitored and measured. We believe the Government recognises the need for change, but there is still more to be done. The Conservative proposals effectively combine minimum national standards with greater scope for local communities to set their own priorities and to go further and faster. We think this deserves more serious discussion."
"On proposals for PCTs, we welcome the recognition that further structural change will not be supported by a service still overcoming a legacy of organisational upheaval. However we believe that initial proposals for separating the provider from the commissioning function would require significant change and needs careful thought."
Dr Morgan concluded: "We believe that there are other interesting proposals raised within the paper which deserve proper debate. We very much look forward to contributing to the consultation process."
Ends
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. 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.
- The Confederation has produced a series of Leading Edge Briefings on performance management. Please contact the press office for details.
Contact details
- Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
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