RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick has called on the government to opt for collaboration, not competition, when planning NHS reforms.
Cathy was responding to David Cameron's
speech to members of the medical profession at University College London Hospital in which he said the government would respond to concerns about the planned reforms expressed during a recent 'listening exercise'.
Cathy said: 'David Cameron has not honoured his pre-election pledge to recruit 3000 more midwives, so how can we trust him not to break his promise on these pledges?'
In his speech, the prime minister said he would support a number of important changes to the proposals. Doctors and nurses will be involved in new consortia planning and buying care, not just GPs. He said the changes 'secure clinically led commissioning, not just GP commissioning, and integration wherever appropriate.'
Cameron declared that the April 2013 deadline will be lifted so the groups will only take responsibility 'when they are ready'.
But he gave less ground on the issue of what role competition would now play in the NHS. The PM said he believed competition 'is a good thing, but not as an end in itself.'
'Put simply: competition is one way we can make things work better for patients,' he told the UCLH audience.
Cathy rejected this standpoint and said the health and social care bill could be a 'Trojan horse for privatisation and competition in the NHS.' She said the bill must be altered and the ‘duty to promote competition’ must be changed: 'We want it to be a cheerleader and crusader for peoples’ health. A duty for the NHS to collaborate on patients’ health not compete is what would lead to higher quality care.'
Cathy warned: 'You cannot change a massive organisation like the NHS without listening to the staff and the public. Change has to be gradual and consensual and involve the public and stakeholders and has got to improve the service.'
