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Health and Social Services


Hancock slams Govt win

Liberal Democrat Mike Hancock hit out at the Government this evening after a motion backed by Labour calling for the publication of the NHS risk register was defeated by 246 to 299.

Speaking to BBC News, he said: “I feel that today the Coalition Government made a very, very big mistake and they, I think, seek the Roth of the British people because of it.”

Four Liberal Democrats in total backed the motion, including Mike Hancock, Andrew George, Greg Mulholland, and John Pugh.

A further nine abstained or failed to vote, including John Leech, Dan Rogerson, Mike Crockart (PPS to Sarah Teather), Annette Brooke, Julian Huppert, Alan Reid, Bob Russell, Martin Horwood, and Ian Swales.


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  • = Key Development Thursday 23rd February
  • = Key Development Wednesday 22nd February
  • 19:40 Mike Hancock: The Coalition will seek the Roth of the British people On air

    On Air | Mike Hancock MP | Liberal Democrat MP | BBC News Video Mike Hancock MP

    Mike Hancock expressed his disappointment over tonight’s House of Common's vote on the publication of the NHS risk register. “I thought it would be closer than that and I know a number if my colleagues along with myself voted with Labour... Continue to article

  • 17:23 Andrew George: Govt NHS reforms could be catastrophic On air

    On Air | Andrew George MP | Liberal Democrat MP | BBC News Video Andrew George MP

    Andrew George warned that the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill could be “catastrophic” for the health service, and said it would be “wiser” to withdraw the reforms. “It’s a pity that we’re in this situation of perhaps grinding on... Continue to article

  • 16:42 SNP MSP raises awareness of eating disorders Press Release

    16:42| Press Release

    SNP MSP Dennis Robertson will call on GPs to stop treating food disorders as eating fads in his members’ debate on eating disorders tonight. Speaking ahead of the debate, the MSP for Aberdeenshire West said: “It may shock people to lear... Continue to article

  • 15:42 Waugh Room: Fistbumper The Waugh Room

    15:42 | The Waugh Room | PoliticsHome The Waugh Room Fistbumper

    The political fist bump appears to have arrived to the Commons, but in a singularly British form. David Cameron was leaving the chamber after Prime Minister's Questions and, as he passed Andrew Lansley, motioned to give his embattled Hea... Continue to article

  • 15:34 Liz Kendall: Government should take same transparency steps as local NHS organisations On air

    On Air | Liz Kendall MP | Shadow Minister for Care and O... | BBC News Video Liz Kendall MP

    Liz Kendall said the Government should release the NHS Risk Register, adding that local organisations had done the same for their local registers. “The Information Commissioner has said the Government should publish the Risk Register bec... Continue to article

  • 13:45 Prime Minister's Questions: backbenchers in full House of Commons

    Prime Minister's Questions: backbenchers in full House of Commons

    David Cameron today faced questions from backbenchers on health, welfare and policing. Labour's Clive Betts asked there had been reduction of over 4,000 police officers since the General Election. He said that in South Yorkshire a police... Continue to article

  • 13:23 Eric Pickles: It would be a risk not to go through with NHS reform On air

    On Air | Eric Pickles MP | Secretary of State for Communi... | The World at One, BBC Radio 4 Video Eric Pickles MP

    Eric Pickles argued that the risk to the NHS lay in not pursuing Andrew Lansley's reforms. "I think there’s a risk of not going on with the reforms, these reforms are designed to strengthen the health service, they actually build on a lo... Continue to article

  • 13:18 Rachel Reeves: The Prime Minister should listen to those in the NHS On air

    On Air | Rachel Reeves MP | Shadow Chief Secretary to the ... | The World at One, BBC Radio 4 Video Rachel Reeves MP

    Rachel Reeves urged the Prime Minister to listen to those in the NHS and drop the Health and Social Care Bill. "Of course public services always need to be reformed, particularly in health and social care, making sure they are properly i... Continue to article

  • 13:16 Andy Burnham: Govt colluding in conspiracy of silence on NHS risk register House of Commons

    Andy Burnham: Govt colluding in conspiracy of silence on NHS risk register House of Commons Andy Burnham: Govt colluding in conspiracy of silence on NHS risk register

    Andy Burnham has accused the Government of a “conspiracy of silence” for refusing to publish the risk register on the Health and Social Care Bill. Speaking at an Opposition Day Debate in the Commons, the Shadow Health Secretary set out ... Continue to article

  • 12:49 Owen Smith: NHS Bill is not evolution, it is revolution On air

    On Air | Owen Smith MP | Shadow Treasury Minister | BBC News Video Owen Smith MP

    Owen Smith said the NHS Bill was not "evolution but revolution" and showed the Government was "out of touch". "It is fundamentally wrong, and Ed Miliband made it clear again today that it is wrong. It was a very incisive and powerful app... Continue to article

  • 12:49 Leaders clash over health at lively PMQs House of Commons

    Leaders clash over health at lively PMQs House of Commons Leaders clash over health at lively PMQs

    David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the Government's health reforms at a lively PMQs today. The Labour leader attacked the Prime Minister for this week’s health summit, which he said "excluded the vast majority of people who work ... Continue to article

  • 12:48 Michael Fallon: NHS is doing better now than a year ago On air

    On Air | Michael Fallon MP | Conservative MP | BBC News Video Michael Fallon MP

    Michael Fallon defended the controversial Health and Social Care Bill, and insisted the NHS was doing "better than it was a year ago". "Waiting times are falling and the Health Service is doing better than it was doing a year ago. Above ... Continue to article

  • 12:37 Dot Commons: Peter's lad has a Bone to pick! Dot Commons

    PoliticsHome Peter's lad has a Bone to pick!

    The Bone breakfast table has really been setting the agenda in Parliament today. Dot chuckled when Peter B first brought up this delightful domestic vignette during Scotland questions: "Last week at the breakfast table, Mrs Bone and I we...

  • 11:44 PMQs Liveblog 22 February House of Commons

    PMQs Liveblog 22 February House of Commons

    Read PoliticsHome's liveblog of Prime Minister's Questions, with full quotes, instant reaction and analysis from the House of Commons chamber.   Continue to article

  • 11:43 Andrew George: Risk Register debate is a 'sideshow' On air

    On Air | Andrew George MP | Liberal Democrat MP | The Daily Politics, BBC 2 Video Andrew George MP

    Andrew George said the debate around the release of the Risk Register was a “sideshow”. “The debate around the Risk Register is, if you like, actually a bit of a sideshow. The main issue is of course the legitimacy of the Bill itself and... Continue to article

  • 07:49 National Pensioners' Convention head: We need a Dignity Code PoliticsHome News

    National Pensioners' Convention head: We need a Dignity Code PoliticsHome News

    National Pensioners' Convention secretary Dot Gibson has urged the public to join their campaign for a ‘Dignity Code’ for elderly people in care. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, she said: “Every single political party says that in... Continue to article

  • 07:00 Chris Skidmore: Risk Registers and Burnham’s shameless opportunism PH Opinion

    07:00 | PH Opinion | PoliticsHome PH Opinion

    Today’s debate on the NHS risk register is a sideshow to the main event of NHS reform, something which must take place if the NHS is to cope with the rising levels of demand placed upon it by an ageing population combined with an increase i... Continue to article

  • 21:18 Story (2 links): Hancock slams Govt win

    PoliticsHome Hancock slams Govt win Story View links

    Liberal Democrat Mike Hancock hit out at the Government this evening after a motion backed by Labour calling for the publication of the NHS risk register was defeated by 246 to 299.

    Speaking to BBC News, he said: “I feel that today the Coalition Government made a very, very big mistake and they, I think, seek the Roth of the British people because of it.”

    Four Liberal Democrats in total backed the motion, including Mike Hancock, Andrew George, Greg Mulholland, and John Pugh.

    A further nine abstained or failed to vote, including John Leech, Dan Rogerson, Mike Crockart (PPS to Sarah Teather), Annette Brooke, Julian Huppert, Alan Reid, Bob Russell, Martin Horwood, and Ian Swales.

  • 21:07 Story (96 links): NHS Bill 'like poll tax'

    PoliticsHome NHS Bill 'like poll tax' Story View links

    Ed Miliband today warned that the NHS would be the equivalent of the poll tax for David Cameron as the two leaders clashed over the health reforms at a lively Prime Minister's Questions.

    The Labour leader attacked the Prime Minister for this week’s summit with healthcare professionals, which he said "excluded the vast majority of people who work on the NHS". He added: "This will become his poll tax."

    He was later joined by former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who said the Government was "drowning" in "badly misjudged" reforms, saying ministers' failure to gain public trust on the NHS meant they "have forfeited any claim to be the party of NHS reform". He also warned that Labour must articulate its own policy on the NHS.

    But Mr Cameron carried out a strong counter-attack on Mr Miliband, producing a briefing paper which showed Andy Burnham had blocked the publication of a "Risk Register" on the impact of NHS reform when he was in government. Mr Burnham is this afternoon leading a debate calling for ministers to publish their own Risk Register on the Health and Social Care Bill.

    Reading from the briefing paper, Mr Cameron said: "It goes like this "Andy Burnham blocked the publication of the risk register in 2009".

    He then accused Labour of being "a bunch of rank opportunists, not fit to run opposition, not fit to run a Government".

    In the debate this afternoon on the register, the Shadow Health Secretary accused the Government of a “conspiracy of silence” for refusing to publish the risk register on the Health and Social Care Bill. The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley hit back, arguing disclosing the contents of the register would “distort rather than enhance” the debate on the NHS reforms.

    Earlier today it emerged that Nick Clegg is prepared to demand further concessions over Government plans to increase competition in the NHS as he tries to prevent a Liberal Democrat rebellion over the Health Bill. It is thought senior Liberal Democrats now believe that can win further changes to the bill amid concerns it will put profit and competition above patient care.

  • 10:02 Story (5 links): Elderly 'ignored' in care system

    PoliticsHome Elderly 'ignored' in care system Story View links

    The elderly are regularly ignored and treated like 'objects' in the care system, according to a group of politicians, regulators and charities. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph today, they call for NHS practitioners to sign a 'Dignity Code' promising to treat pensioners with respect.

  • = Key Development Monday 20th February
  • 19:54 Daniel Poulter: Much of NHS bill has broad support On air

    On Air | Daniel Poulter MP | | Channel 4 News Video Daniel Poulter MP

    Dan Poulter argued the much of the Government’s health reforms had “broad support”. “There are a number of things about the bill that actually have broad support – first of all putting doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals in cha... Continue to article

  • 19:18 Dr Peter Carter: Health Bill is becoming desperate On air

    On Air | Dr Peter Carter | General secretary of the Royal... | Channel 4 News Video Dr Peter Carter

    Dr Peter Carter said the Government’s attempt to reform the NHS was causing a “pretty desperate state of affairs”. He denied that if the Royal College of Nursing had been invited to the summit on the health reforms today it would have be... Continue to article

  • 17:56 Mike Farrar: We need the whole clinical community united to implement reform PoliticsHome News

    Mike Farrar: We need the whole clinical community united to implement reform PoliticsHome News

    Mike Farrar, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said the whole of the clinical community needed to be "as one" in order to successfully implement reforms. The Prime Minister has faced criticism this week over his decision not to ... Continue to article

  • 17:17 Story (96 links): PM 'committed' to NHS reform

    PoliticsHome PM 'committed' to NHS reform Story View links

    David Cameron has insisted he is "committed" to the Government's health reforms following what he described as "constructive and helpful" talks with healthcare bodies.

    His words followed a turbulent morning for the Government, with the Health Secretary facing an angry protester, and fresh tensions emerging over the reforms. Speaking after a summit in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: "We had a constructive and helpful meeting, and what's clear is there are quite a few myths that we need to bust about this reform.

    "So I'm committed to these changes, committed to taking them through, but we need to do everything we can to explain to people this is about improving and enhancing our NHS, not in any way endangering it."

    But the summit itself was mired in controversy after it emerged that opponents of the controversial bill are not attending the meeting. The list of those invited, revealed this afternoon, is: The Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians, National Voices, the NHS Alliance, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, NHS Bassetlaw, the NHS Confederation, ACEVO, Baywide Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, the Foundation Trust Network, the National Association of Primary Care and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Other Royal Colleges, including the Royal College of GPs, were not invited. Labour accused the Prime Minister of closing the door of Number 10 to critics.

    Health Secretary Andrew Lansley was also confronted by an angry protester as he walked to the summit. Protester June Hautot, who is a member of the South West London Keep the NHS Public campaign and a former Unison rep, confronted the Health Secretary.

    Mr Lansley also faced fresh signs of dissent over the controversial reforms from within the Coalition as a Liberal Democrat ministerial aide broke ranks to call for ministers to reveal the true risks of the new legislation.

    Duncan Hames, who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Energy Secretary Ed Davey, signed an early day motion calling for the publication of a "risk register", which outlines the costs and risks of the Health and Social Care Bill. He signed the motion along with 12 other Liberal Democrat MPs.

    Mr Hames told PoliticsHome: "At the time that I first asked the Government about the risk register – nearly three months ago, at Health Questions – the Health Minister stated that they were still considering how to move forward in the timescale the Information Commissioner had given them. I encouraged him to publish the risk register in the knowledge that such documents would normally contain carefully-thought through mitigation strategies that rather than alarm, may actually serve to reassure the public."

    The Government has so far refused to reveal the risks in spite of a ruling by the Information Commissioner, but the motion says: "This House expects the Government to respect the ruling by the Information Commissioner and to publish the risk register associated with the Health and Social Care Bill reforms in advance of Report Stage in the House of Lords in order to ensure that it informs that debate."

    In total, 75 MPs have signed the motion, which was tabled by Liberal Democrat Andrew George. Today Mr George released a statement saying the Health Bill had "no friends", and that "dignified withdrawal would be best".

  • 16:43 Andrew Lansley: Health and Social Care Bill has doctors' support On air

    On Air | Andrew Lansley MP | Health secretary | BBC News Video Andrew Lansley MP

    Andrew Lansley insisted the Government would be sticking with the Health and Social Care Bill and that it had support from those within the NHS. “Of course, because we’re doing this in order to deliver the best care for patients and we’r... Continue to article

  • 14:41 Jeremy Taylor: A great deal of concern over NHS reforms PoliticsHome News

    Jeremy Taylor: A great deal of concern over NHS reforms PoliticsHome News Jeremy Taylor: A great deal of concern over NHS reforms

    A “great deal of concern” has been voiced today during talks with the Prime Minister over the controversial NHS reforms, the Chief Executive of National Voices has said.   Speaking to BBC News Jeremy Taylor, said: “I think there is a gr... Continue to article

  • 14:32 David Cameron: I'm committed to the health reforms On air

    On Air | David Cameron MP | Prime minister | Sky News Video David Cameron MP

    David Cameron said he was "committed" to the Government's health reforms following what he described as "constructive and helpful" talks with healthcare bodies. "I want it to be there looking after every family in the country, doing a re... Continue to article

  • 13:47 June Hautot: Ministers not listening to majority on NHS PoliticsHome News

    June Hautot: Ministers not listening to majority on NHS PoliticsHome News June Hautot: Ministers not listening to majority on NHS

    The protester who confronted Andrew Lansley over the Health and Social Care Bill has claimed that the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister are "only listening to the few on the reforms." Speaking to the BBC, June Hautot, who is a memb... Continue to article

  • 13:07 Clare Gerada: I'm puzzled and worried by RCGP's exclusion On air

    On Air | Clare Gerada | chair of the Royal College of ... | World at One, Radio 4

    Clare Gerada admitted she was ‘puzzled and worried’ over the exclusion of the Royal College of General Practitioners from discussions on the Health and Social Care Bill. “I’m puzzled that the Prime Minister was excluding the very people ... Continue to article

  • 12:24 Daniel Poulter: It’s very disingenuous to say these health reforms are in a mess On air

    On Air | Daniel Poulter MP | | Daily Politics, BBC 2 Video Daniel Poulter MP

    Dr Daniel Poulter argued the NHS reforms were not “in a mess” and added they would give money to frontline patient care. “What actually is happening in Cumbria is GPs are running the service and it’s that model that the Government wants ... Continue to article

  • = Key Development Sunday 19th February
  • 23:28 Anna Soubry: I don’t think these organisations actually represent people at the front line delivering health care. On air

    On Air | Anna Soubry MP | | The Westminster Hour, BBC Radio 4 Video Anna Soubry MP

    Anna Soubry defended David Cameron's decision not to invite groups critical of NHS reforms to a Downing Street meeting tomorrow.  "The reality of it is we are trying to move this forward and get on with it. We have to get on with it, if ... Continue to article

  • 23:27 Lisa Nandy: How on earth are we going to implement health reforms without inviting GPs and healthcare workers along? On air

    On Air | Lisa Nandy MP | | The Westminster Hour, BBC Radio 4 Video Lisa Nandy MP

    Lisa Nandy criticised David Cameron's decision not to invite certain health professional groups to a Downing Street meeting on NHS reforms tomorrow. "I mean it’s all very well but this was billed as an implementation meeting, not a campa... Continue to article

  • 22:28 Story (19 links): Cameron accused of 'divide and rule' over NHS meeting

    PoliticsHome Cameron accused of 'divide and rule' over NHS meeting Story View links

    David Cameron has been accused of playing "divide and rule" over his decision not to invite major health professional bodies to a Downing Street meeting about NHS reforms.

    The Prime Minister will tomorrow host a meeting with senior professionals on the Health and Social Care Bill, but the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing - two of the most vocal critics of the Bill - say they have not been invited.

    Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the NHS means too much for the Government to "play divide and rule" over the reforms.

    "People have strong and sincerely-held views about the risks to the NHS from the Government's re-organisation. They deserve a hearing, not to have the door of Downing Street shut in their faces," Mr Burnham said.

    According to the Mail on Sunday, the Prime Minister is planning to remove Health Secretary Andrew Lansley from his position in the autumn, with Jeremy Hunt in line as a replacement.

    The Prime Minister's difficulties on health have also been laid bare, with a ComRes poll for the Independent on Sunday showing only a third of voters think Mr Cameron is a sincere supporter of the NHS.

    Liberal Democrat disquiet over the health bill will come to the fore next month when members table an emergency resolution at their spring conference. The motion calls for the removal from the legislation of a whole chapter on competition in the NHS.

  • 22:16 Lib Dems Against the NHS Bill: Reforms are like a dead man walking PoliticsHome News

    Lib Dems Against the NHS Bill: Reforms are like a dead man walking PoliticsHome News

    The Health and Social Care Bill is in danger of becoming a "dead-man walking" and should be dropped, according to an organiser of Lib Dems Against the NHS Bill. The activist group will seek to table an emergency motion at the party's spr... Continue to article

  • 15:12 Labour statement: Andy Burnham: The NHS means too much for the Government to play this dangerous game of divide and rule Press Release

    15:12| Press Release | Labour Labour

    Labour press release Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, speaking ahead of tomorrow's meeting between the Prime Minister and senior health professionals on the Health and Social Care Bill, said: "The NHS means too much to ... Continue to article

  • 10:55 Lord Reid: Lansley not carrying on Labour reforms On air

    On Air | Lord Reid | Former Home secretary | Murnaghan, Sky News Video Lord Reid

    Former Home Secretary Lord Reid has advised the Prime Minister to ditch the proposed health-care reforms to save himself from a “political quagmire”. Lord Reid also said that he sympathised with Health minister Andrew Lansley, but though... Continue to article

  • 10:47 Paul Richards tweets: John Reid just gave the perfect analysis why Lansley's reforms are not a continuation of New Labour's. #murnaghan

    Twitter | Paul Richards Twitter source icon

    John Reid just gave the perfect analysis why Lansley's reforms are not a continuation of New Labour's. #murnaghan

  • 07:00 Rod Liddle: Cameron's drink message is do as I say, not as I did (£) News

    Opinion | The Sunday Times source icon

    Continue to article

  • = Key Development Saturday 18th February
  • 14:23 Dr Peter Carter: Work with us, Prime Minister On air

    On Air | Dr Peter Carter | General secretary of the Royal... | BBC News Video Dr Peter Carter

    Dr Peter Carter urged the Prime Minister to “work with” the organisations that had reservations about the Health Bill. “We know, in any walk of life, if you’ve got a problem if you’ve got a difficulty you’re not going to get over it by t... Continue to article

  • 13:37 Story (18 links): PM to hold health summit

    PoliticsHome PM to hold health summit Story View links

    David Cameron will meet with health practitioners next week to discuss how best to implement the Government's controversial health reforms.

    The Downing Street round table, which is likely to include Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, will attempt to save the NHS Bill and set forward a path for implementing the reforms.

    Critics of the Bill have hit out at the decision not to invite them, with the head of the British Medical Association warning that GPs are being "set up to fail" by the Conservatives as part of a "hidden agenda" that could lead to the privatisation of the NHS.

    In an interview with The Times, Dr Hamish Meldrum accused the Government of concealing the "true intentions" of the reforms.

    Ed Miliband also attacked the Prime Minister, warning the progress would not be reached "by shutting the door of Downing Street on doctors, nurses and patients' groups".

  • 13:11 Labour statement: Ed Miliband: You don't get progress on the NHS by shutting the door of Downing Street Press Release

    13:11| Press Release | Labour Labour

    Labour Leader Ed Miliband today attacked David Cameron for excluding experts from a Number 10 NHS meeting. Speaking at the Welsh Labour Conference, he said: "You don't get progress on the NHS by shutting the door of Downing Street on ... Continue to article

  • 07:39 Story (4 links): Over 2,800 women referred to NHS over implants

    PoliticsHome Over 2,800 women referred to NHS over implants Story View links

    Over 2,800 women have been referred to the NHS for treatment having received PIP breast implants. Figures released by the Department of Health show that 2,860 women have been referred by their GP because the clinics that carried out the original procedures had failed or closed.

  • = Key Development Friday 17th February
  • 21:50 Story (21 links): Miliband accuses PM of breaking NHS promises

    PoliticsHome Miliband accuses PM of breaking NHS promises Story View links

    David Cameron has committed himself to pushing through the controversial Health and Social Care Bill.

    Responding to accusation from Ed Miliband that he has broken his promises on the NHS and that he should drop the Bill the Prime Minister has called a summit with health professionals on Monday in order to press ahead with its implementation.

    On a visit to the Royal Bolton Hospital, Mr Miliband said: "He has broken all these promises and more. It is bad for our NHS and bad for politics. He should drop his NHS bill and at least restore one of his broken promises."

    A letter in the Lancet medical journal condemning the Bill has also piled pressure on the Government, with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham saying warnings do "not come more serious than this".

  • 16:37 Story (4 links): Implant scandal 'impossible to prevent'

    PoliticsHome Implant scandal 'impossible to prevent' Story View links

    A repeat of the PIP breast implant scandal would be "impossible to prevent", Britain's chief medical devices regulator has warned.

    Professor Sir Kent Woods said the regulatory system could not be used to prevent fraud and needed only "incrementral improvements".

    The Department of Health have today revealed that a total of 2860 women have been referred to the NHS over fears about the safety of PIP, and a small number of procedures to remove the implants have already been carried out.

  • 16:37 Story (7 links): Doctors express concern about new NHS phoneline

    PoliticsHome Doctors express concern about new NHS phoneline Story View links

    Doctors have expressed "serious concerns" about the rollout of the new 111 NHS phoneline in the UK.

    The free number is set to be launched in April 2013, but the British Medical Association has warned that it may put strain on existing services, and has written to the Health Secretary asking for the deadline to be relaxed.

    Dr Richard Vautrey, the BMA spokesman, told BBC News that in some parts of the country the NHS is "literally in chaos" and does not have the organisational ability to the implement changes.

    He said there was "so much change going on" that the health service would be unable to safely introduce the new phoneline. "We need some time," he said. "This can be a good idea, but we need to get it right."

  • 11:42 Department of Health statement: New figures on the take up of the “NHS offer” by PiP patients Press Release

    11:42| Press Release | Department of Health Department of Health

    Department of Health press release Nearly 3,000 women who have PiP breast implants have been forced to get help from the NHS because their private clinics have failed to help, according to new figures published today by the Department of... Continue to article

  • 11:16 BMA: NHS is literally in chaos PoliticsHome News

    BMA: NHS is literally in chaos PoliticsHome News BMA: NHS is literally in chaos

    In some parts of the country the NHS is "literally in chaos" and does not have the organisational ability to implement changes, according to the British Medical Association spokesman. Dr Richard Vautrey said there was "so much change goi... Continue to article

  • 09:55 Department of Health statement: Dame Fiona Caldicott to lead review into confidentiality and the sharing of health and social care information Press Release

    09:55| Press Release | Department of Health Department of Health

    Department of Health press release In January, the Government accepted the Future Forum’s recommendation for a review of the balance between protecting patient information and its sharing, to improve patient care. Dame Fiona Caldicott ha... Continue to article

  • 09:46 Department of Health statement: Department of Health: PIP breast implants update Press Release

    09:46| Press Release | Department of Health Department of Health

    Department of Health press release The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health: Latest weekly PIP implant data (covering the period 6th January to 12 February) This release covers two weekly data collectio... Continue to article

  • 07:56 Mark Wadsworth blog: Health scare story du jour News

    Blog | Mark Wadsworth source icon

    From the BBC: The speed someone walks may predict the likelihood of developing dementia later in life, according to researchers in the US. They also told a conference that grip strength in middle-age ... Continue to article

  • 07:10 Dr Laurence Buckman: Making an emergency service not work is a mistake On air

    On Air | Laurence Buckman | Chair, BMA GP committee | Today, BBC Radio 4 Video Laurence Buckman

    Dr Laurence Buckman said the Government must slow down and not rush through plans to introduce the new NHS 111 phoneline. "We would like the Government to slow this down, to stop forcing clinical commissioning groups to sign contracts. W... Continue to article

  • 06:00 Ed Miliband to accuse David Cameron over broken NHS promises Press Release

    06:00| Press Release

    Labour Party Press Release Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party, will today step up his attack on David Cameron’s Health Bill. He will tell nurses on a visit to the Royal Bolton Hospital in Bolton: "Th... Continue to article

  • = Key Development Thursday 16th February
  • 17:52 Press blog: Patients and their families are paying the price for David Cameron's mismanagement of the NHS - Burnham News

    Blog | Labour Party News source icon

    Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, speaking after the release of new A&E waiting times figures, said: Continue to article

  • 17:13 Labour statement: Labour: Patients and their families are paying the price for David Cameron's mismanagement of the NHS - Burnham Press Release

    17:13| Press Release | Labour Labour

    Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, speaking after the release of new A&E waiting times figures, said: "Patients and their families are paying the price for David Cameron's mismanagement of the NHS. "He relaxed Labour's... Continue to article

  • 16:55 Richard Murphy blog: A corrosive tax abuse in the health department | Richard Murphy News

    Blog | Comment is Free source icon

    Tax laws central to the credibility of government revenues are being ignored by those charged with maintaining our state The Guardian's revelation that the practice of paying people who are, in effect... Continue to article

  • 14:35 Plaid Cymru statement: Minimum alcohol price will boost health and local economy Press Release

    14:35| Press Release | Plaid Cymru

    Plaid Cymru press office Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams MP has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s concession that supermarket discount prices are fuelling Britain’s binge-drinking culture. Responding to the Prime Minister’s comment... Continue to article

  • 13:27 Tom Chivers blog: Why the Government should take lessons from Peter Tosh News

    Blog | Telegraph politics blog source icon

    After yesterday's fun piece about drug laws and political cowardice, I received an email from a nice chap from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, who pointed to this interest... Continue to article

  • 12:32 SNP statement: SNP welcome UK Government interest in minimum pricing Press Release

    12:32| Press Release | SNP SNP

    SNP Press release The UK Prime Minister’s interest in dealing with the rest of the UK’s problem drinking with minimum pricing has been welcomed by SNP MSP Fiona McLeod. David Cameron, who is today visiting Scotland, highlighted that t... Continue to article

  • 12:24 Neo-Guido blog: Exclusive: Burnham’s Adviser and £170,000 of NHS Cash News

    Blog | Guy Fawkes' Blog source icon

    The Department of Health was forced to apologise last night after it was revealed that 25 of their civil servants were paid via limited companies in what looks like a Whitehall-wide tax-dodge.  This o... Continue to article

  • 11:35 Dot Commons: Prezza's 'High hopes' for the anti-health bill petition Dot Commons

    PoliticsHome Prezza's 'High hopes' for the anti-health bill petition

    John Prescott’s rendition of the Frank Sinatra classic ‘I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’ has hit YouTube as the former Deputy PM honoured his commitment to post a video of him singing should the petition gain 100,000 sign...

  • 10:55 Department of Health statement: Department of Health: Indicators on breastfeeding Press Release

    10:55| Press Release | Department of Health Department of Health

    Department of Health press release The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health: Indicators on breastfeeding - quarter ending December 2011 The key points from the latest release are: • The breastfeeding ... Continue to article

  • 09:47 Department of Health statement: Department of Health: Mixed-sex accomodation breach data Press Release

    09:47| Press Release | Department of Health Department of Health

    Department of Health press release This notice presents data on all breaches (i.e. occurrences of unjustified mixing) of the Mixed-Sex Accommodation (MSA) guidance relating to English NHS-funded patients in hospital sleeping accommodatio... Continue to article

  • = Key Development Wednesday 15th February
  • 16:23 Press blog: Cameron desperately trying to divert attention from Health Bill - Jamie Reed News

    Blog | Labour Party News source icon

    Jamie Reed MP, Labour's Shadow Health Minister, responding to David Cameron's visit to a Durham hospital said: Continue to article

  • 12:04 Labour statement: Diane Abbott responds to David Cameron’s comments on alcohol Press Release

    12:04| Press Release | Labour Labour

    ‘This is a growing problem that everybody has to face. In David Cameron’s Britain, hospital admissions linked to alcohol problems have reached a record high so the government urgently needs to get a grip. But David Cameron’s comments smell ... Continue to article

  • 10:36 Press blog: Internal NHS documents reveal risks to patient safety of Govt's reforms - Burnham News

    Blog | Labour Party News source icon

    Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, said in response to reports in newspapers that internal NHS documents have warned that the government's health reforms run a high risk of reducing le... Continue to article

NHS Bill 'like poll tax'

Ed Miliband today warned that the NHS would be the equivalent of the poll tax for David Cameron as the two leaders clashed over the health reforms at a lively Prime Minister's Questions.

The Labour leader attacked the Prime Minister for this week’s summit with healthcare professionals, which he said "excluded the vast majority of people who work on the NHS". He added: "This will become his poll tax."

He was later joined by former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who said the Government was "drowning" in "badly misjudged" reforms, saying ministers' failure to gain public trust on the NHS meant they "have forfeited any claim to be the party of NHS reform". He also warned that Labour must articulate its own policy on the NHS.

But Mr Cameron carried out a strong counter-attack on Mr Miliband, producing a briefing paper which showed Andy Burnham had blocked the publication of a "Risk Register" on the impact of NHS reform when he was in government. Mr Burnham is this afternoon leading a debate calling for ministers to publish their own Risk Register on the Health and Social Care Bill.

Reading from the briefing paper, Mr Cameron said: "It goes like this "Andy Burnham blocked the publication of the risk register in 2009".

He then accused Labour of being "a bunch of rank opportunists, not fit to run opposition, not fit to run a Government".

In the debate this afternoon on the register, the Shadow Health Secretary accused the Government of a “conspiracy of silence” for refusing to publish the risk register on the Health and Social Care Bill. The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley hit back, arguing disclosing the contents of the register would “distort rather than enhance” the debate on the NHS reforms.

Earlier today it emerged that Nick Clegg is prepared to demand further concessions over Government plans to increase competition in the NHS as he tries to prevent a Liberal Democrat rebellion over the Health Bill. It is thought senior Liberal Democrats now believe that can win further changes to the bill amid concerns it will put profit and competition above patient care.

The Elderly are regularly ignored and treated like 'objects' in the care system, according to a group of politicians, regulations and charities. The group has called for NHS practitioners to sign a 'Dignity Code' promising to treat pensioners with respect, in a letter to the Daily Telegraph today.

Elderly 'ignored' in care system

The elderly are regularly ignored and treated like 'objects' in the care system, according to a group of politicians, regulators and charities. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph today, they call for NHS practitioners to sign a 'Dignity Code' promising to treat pensioners with respect.

Authorities banned from blacklisting expensive drugs

The Department of a Health has banned health authorities from blacklisting expensive medicines in favour of cheaper generic options, which are sometimes not as effective.

Cameron: Change is 'never easy'

21/02/2012 in NHS

Cameron: Change is 'never easy'

David Cameron has given his strongest defence yet of his embattled Health Secretary as the Government's proposed changes to the NHS face sustained criticism. Yesterday's Government summit ...

PM 'committed' to NHS reform

20/02/2012 in NHS

PM 'committed' to NHS reform

David Cameron has insisted he is "committed" to the Government's health reforms following what he described as "constructive and helpful" talks with healthcare bodies. His words followed a ...

Cameron accused of 'divide and rule' over NHS meeting

19/02/2012 in NHS

Cameron accused of 'divide and rule' over NHS meeting

David Cameron has been accused of playing "divide and rule" over his decision not to invite major health professional bodies to a Downing Street meeting about NHS reforms. The Prime Minist...

PM to hold health summit

18/02/2012 in NHS

PM to hold health summit

David Cameron will meet with health practitioners next week to discuss how best to implement the Government's controversial health reforms. The Downing Street round table, which is likely t...

Over 2,800 women referred to NHS over implants

18/02/2012 in NHS

Over 2,800 women referred to NHS over implants

Over 2,800 women have been referred to the NHS for treatment having received PIP breast implants. Figures released by the Department of Health show that 2,860 women have been referred by the...