The Politics Show East - Health Re-organisation

The re-organisation of the health service aims to reduce health management costs by 45% and leave more for front line services. Plans were announced by the government in July and arguably it's the biggest change in the NHS since its inception. One of the most fundamental aspects of the reforms is the setting up of GPs consortia which effectively transfers £80 b of public money to GPs. This paves the way for the abolition of the Primary care Trusts, which used to control the budgets. The Strategic Health Authority, that used to oversee the PCTs, is also to be scrapped. Two consortia in Cambridgeshire, where the Health Secretary is an MP, are undertaking a pilot of the new system. The plans have been criticised by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Even though many GP's welcome the idea. many others are concerned over the pace of change.