Press release: NHS Confederation comments on Lib Dem's paper - localism, fairness and empowerment in the NHS

14 Sep 2007

Commenting on Norman Lamb MP's paper Localism, Fairness and Empowerment in the NHS, Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, said:

"We welcome the Lib Dem's report into localism, fairness and empowerment in the NHS - particularly the fact that the paper avoids calls for more reorganisation in the NHS and overtly simplistic solutions to improving our health service.

"With greater local autonomy comes the need for better systems for local accountability and we agree that this is something that needs to be examined as an essential part of allowing our members the leeway to improve services according to local conditions. The NHS Confederation is working with its members on how to make accountability a reality in the local NHS, whilst avoiding another major reorganisation of services.

"The NHS Confederation is also pleased to see the proposal for clear lines of responsibility in public health policy with local authorities and primary care trusts working together to appoint public health directors. We need to make sure that public health initiatives are coherent right across the community."
 
ENDS

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

Contact Joanna Clason (media relations manager) 020 7074 3306 or 077 9857 1078, Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 077 6777 0309 or Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 078 8447 3086.  For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

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