Press release: Health bill heralds far-reaching change to NHS
13 Mar 2003
The NHS Confederation today welcomed the publication of the new Health and Social Care Bill. Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "This Bill will introduce far-reaching changes across the NHS. It represents a real opportunity to drive forward improvement and to give frontline staff greater freedom to innovate to deliver first class care."
On the issue of Foundation Trusts, Dr Morgan said: "We support the innovation and sense of local ownership that the Government is trying to encourage through Foundation Trusts. We believe Foundations could be an important first step towards a more decentralised NHS. We particularly welcome the Government's recent commitment to roll out Foundation status to all hospitals and eventually to primary care trusts. This recognises that if greater freedoms are needed to raise standards then they are required by all.
"However, we need to ensure that the initial focus on Foundation status for hospitals does not detract from the Government's welcome drive towards a primary care led NHS. Support for Foundation hospitals needs to be accompanied by an equivalent investment and strengthening of PCTs - as purchasers of care for local communities."
Dr Morgan added: "Foundation status must also strengthen rather than undermine links between hospitals and other NHS organisations if we're to deliver more integrated care for patients."
On the establishment of a new inspectorate for the NHS, Dr Morgan commented: "We have consistently argued for rationalisation of the crowded field of NHS inspection, audit and accreditation. We therefore welcome the creation of a more comprehensive inspectorate. A key test will be whether it delivers lighter touch inspections that encourage local innovation whilst maintaining national standards."
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.
Contact details
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