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Statement from Lord Owen on the current NHS reform bill

Full statement from Lord (Dr) Owen It makes a lot of sense. Of particular note are his comments about the effect on Ophthalmology for example (for this read any speciality service)

Link and full text 

http://www.lorddavidowen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/HSCBillstatement1.pdf

Exerpts from Lords Owens article on NHS reform bill

On David Camerons position before the election

David Cameron should remember the words he spoke about the NHS during the election.  Most of those who work in the health service were aware of his own late son’s illness and felt that when he spoke about the NHS not having any more top down reorganizations, he carried the conviction of someone who had real experience of what the NHS represented in British life. When he talked of his ‘Big Society’, many envisaged the ethos of the NHS would be part of that.  During the 2010 General Election the NHS was not, as in previous General Elections, anywhere near as big an issue between the parties. Voters believed not only that there would be no more top down reorganisations but the Conservatives had absorbed the strengths and realities of the NHS. There was nothing from the Liberal Democrats either to identify them with these reforms. It is also noteworthy that the most recent assessment by the OECD3in praising the achievements of the NHS drew attention to the fact that this was despite the adverse consequences of numerous re

The NHS Reform Bill

The current Government is facing widespread critiscm from a number of quarters on its planned NHS reforms. Coverage is widespread on the bill with the influential Royal College of GP's weighing in with thier view that the bill should be scrapped.

Dr Clive Peedell (@cpeedell) a practising Consultant Clinical Oncologist in the North of England and Co-chair NHS Consultants' Association. BMA Council. BMA Political board, recently highlighted the feeling of many NHS Drs with his, 'Bevans Run' campaign which sought to highlight the key areas where the bill would fail. 

http://bevansrun.blogspot.com/2012/01/market-failure-in-healthcare-part-1.html