NHS Reorganisation

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lansley]

The Royal College of General Practitioners has said that it believes that there should be more clinician-led commissioning, and yesterday the British Medical Association reasserted its view that general practice-led commissioning is the right way forward. The Labour Government set up practice-based commissioning but, as the shadow Health Minister, the hon. Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall), said, GPs were not given the power, responsibility and opportunity to do it. I am afraid that the right hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford is speaking against the evidence and the experience of GPs all over the country.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the words of the shadow Secretary of State in this debate seem to contrast somewhat with his words back in January, when he said that

“the general aims of reform are sound—greater role for clinicians in commissioning care, more involvement of patients, less bureaucracy and greater priority on improving health outcomes”?

Why does my right hon. Friend think he has changed his mind?

[Mr Lansley]

I think I know why he has changed his mind.