An Independent NHS

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From Keep our NHS Public email dated 29 June 2007

Although Gordon Brown has now dismissed the notion of an independent NHS the idea is still a hot topic. The Tories have now taken up the idea of a more autonomous NHS where members of a board would be chosen by the Health Secretary and would have the power to commission services.

The idea is to free the NHS from political interference, putting an end to constant structural reform and putting more power in the hands of health professionals and patients. Doctors are also urging Gordon Brown to press ahead with independence. At the BMA's annual conference in Torquay this week Dr Chaand Nagpaul stated that if there had been an independent board money would not have been wasted on PFI projects and independent treatment centres. He added that, "The NHS has been politicised to a dangerous degree. An independent board would free it and be in the best interests of the NHS and patients." But there were also dissenters; Dr Khailash Chand said he believed that an independent NHS would "destroy the NHS" asking "What would stop the appointing of Tescos, Boots and other private providers on to the board?"

See the report of the BMA's conference at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6238476.stm

Read about the Tories' policy for an independent NHS at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6769719.stm

The School of Public Policy in the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham has published a report arguing for an independent NHS. Read "Things Can only get Better: The Argument for an Independent NHS" at: http://www.hsmc.bham.ac.uk/news/ThingsCanOnlyGetBetterTheArgumentForNHIindependence.pdf

Brown's latest thinking on a more autonomous NHS now seems to centre on the idea of an NHS constitution in preparation for the 60th birthday of the NHS in July 2008. NHS Support Federation is currently working on developing a position on the proposal to influence the final constitution and to get meaningful safeguards against privatisation.

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Sheila Porter-Williams
Campaign for Health Service Democracy
Green Haven, Halfway Lane
Dunchurch
Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 6RD
sheilaCHSD@porter-williams.freeserve.co.uk