Health and Social Care Bill
- The government yesterday signalled its determination to press ahead with a shake-up of the NHS and social services in the face of criticism from sections of the medical profession and community health councils.
The health secretary, Alan Milburn, published the health and social care bill to implement parts of the NHS plan, which he and Tony Blair unveiled last summer.
The bill proposes granting nurses and pharmacists a wider medical role (notably in prescribing drugs) and tackling hospital "bed blocking" by improving ties with social services departments. Controversially, Mr Milburn also wants to see local community health councils replaced with patients' forums inside every NHS trust. Guardian 22 December 2000.
- Bye-bye Bevan
No one has noticed that the health and social care bill is dismantling the NHS
Allyson Pollock and Fiona Campbell
Guardian
Thursday April 26, 2001
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