The Coalition Government calls its White Paper ‘Liberating the NHS’, but we think that many Managers of Public And Patient Involvement will fear that it means liberating them from their jobs! The good news is that far-reaching proposals to abolish PCTs, to introduce GPs consortia as commissioning bodies and to convert LINks into local HealthWatch will require primary legislation, with a Bill promised this Autumn. Controversy will be certain, and despite not issuing a consultation paper right now, the Minister has asked for comments by 5th October. He won’t be disappointed! And there will be far more opportunities to contribute. On our calculation, the White Paper promises 15 (yes fifteen!!) further consultations on aspects of this plan. In the meantime, we are keen to discuss the proposals and their impact on public and VCS engagement in the Health service. An open meeting in Ealing will be set up shortly - watch this space.
Carmel
Yeh not much deatail particularly about how Liberation will not become chaos. Me thinks that Andrew Lansley is on a mission and will push this all through with unreasonable haste.
ReplyDeleteMeeting to brief Ealing residents and groups on the White paper has now been set for Tuesday 17 August, 5pm at the Town Hall-Liz Cantell room.
ReplyDeletecome along and learn what this means in Ealing and how to respond the the consultations as they appear.