31 January 2012
Latest RCGP Statement on Health and Social Care Bill
There has been much talk this week about how the profession as a whole can continue to influence the Health and Social Care Bill as it moves into the Report Stage at the House of Lords.
The College’s position has not changed; our concerns remain the same and we are determined to keep on doing everything that we can to bring about change for the good of our patients.
In particular, we have asked for clarification and amendments on the following points:
The Secretary of State’s existing duty to provide, or secure the provision of, a comprehensive health service throughout England, must be retained
- That commissioners will not be required to open up services to competition unless it can be demonstrated that this would be in the patient’s best interests and compatible with the requirements of patient safety and the ability to provide integrated care
- The introduction of further safeguards on education and training, including robust mechanisms to ensure the provision of sufficient post graduate training places, and the long term retention of post graduate deaneries
We will continue to work with our colleagues in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and to take up these concerns with Government, to press for substantive change.
Further information
RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk