NHS reforms debate (Mon 4th April)

Wednesday, 06 April 2011

Excerpt: Last Monday's Westminster Debate on NHS reforms. Watch John Pugh in this debate by clicking this link.

John Pugh (Southport) (LD): I thank the Secretary of State for having the grace and courage to respond to legitimate concerns. Given the agreement that exists in the House-not about the effects of the Bill, on which there is no agreement, but about its aims-does he agree that we should not get hung up about whether substantial changes will in future be referred to as "tweaking", "surgery" or, possibly, "surgical tweaking"? Is not the main thing to get a Bill that carries the broad support of Parliament, NHS professionals and the country? We do not need to sell this Bill better; we need to take the spectre of salesmanship out of the NHS.

Andrew Lansley (Secretary of State for Health): The hon. Gentleman and I know one another well enough to know that we share a commitment to the NHS and that I am determined. Perhaps I sometimes get very close to all of this because I am very close to the NHS. I spend my time thinking about this subject and I spend my time with people in the service. I spend my time trying to ensure that the Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get it right for people in the NHS-they want to be free. The British Medical Association made it clear that it wants an end to constant political interference in the NHS. We can do that only if we secure the necessary autonomy for the NHS, and if we make accountability transparent, rather than having constant interference from this place or from Richmond house.

Related story: Pugh welcomes rethink on NHS reforms