MP backs Government’s NHS reforms
PLANS for a major revamp of the NHS have the support of Boston and Skegness MP Mark Simmonds, who helped work on the Government’s health policy while a shadow minister.
The coalition Government’s controversial Health and Social Care Bill could see GPs given more say over NHS spending and encourage more competition with the private sector.
The bill has sparked national headlines after encountering opposition from the Royal Colleges of nurses and midwives as well as Labour politicians. However Conservative MP Mr Simmonds believes the policy is what is needed to meet the needs of an ageing population.
Mr Simmonds, who had a role as shadow health minister but did not get a position in the coalition Government, told The Standard: “I was very heavily involved in policy development prior to the election and I remain convinced that the NHS should stay free at the point of use, based on need not ability to pay.
“However, I am equally convinced that the NHS needs reform. We must take into account the rising cost of healthcare and our ageing population, which is only increasing.
“The reforms will ensure that GP’s are much more involved in commissioning services for patients and will provide more choice for patients.
“The evidence is overwhelming that competition within health services drives up quality of care for patients.
“It is also imperative that we promote integration within the NHS to ensure that the patient becomes the centre of the service.”
The plans were put on hold last spring after MPs and peers opposed the bill and the Government has since made a number of amendments to try to appease its critics.
The bill’s latest setback came last week when the House of Lords backed an amendment to place a greater emphasis on mental health.
According to parliamentary records Mr Simmonds earns £50,000 a year in a 10-hour-a-month role as a strategic advisor to private health provider Circle Healthcare.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
FedUp101
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 01:42 PMSadley money does talk Tony G and it seems more so when it comes to the goverment. I think its time for Mr Simmonds to move.
Tony G
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 09:04 AMIn response to the two previous comments: He who pays the piper calls the tune. The trouble here is Mr Simmonds can hear two pipers, constituents v money, and as with most Conervative MPs, as we have seen in the previous parliament – MONEY TALKS!
Davebrigg
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:35 AMHe says that there is overwhelming evidence that competition drives up quality of care. I'd like to know where this data comes from. The USA has competition, but their healthcare system costs more than double what ours does per person, and achieves broadly similar results. It also leaves nearly 40 million people unable to afford health insurance, while the wealthiest receive unnecessary treatment because doctors don't want to lose their best customers. Who do we trust? The doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists etc who work with the sick, or career politicians in the employment of private health companies?
skarp
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 09:20 PMAccording to my research Mr Simmons receives £50,000 a year in a 10-hour-a-month role as a strategic advisor to private health provider Circle Healthcare. http:socialinvestigations.blogspot.com201202nhs-privatisation-compilation-of.html No wonder he is in favour of Lansley's stealth privatisation? Make no mistake this is purely motivated by greed.
Tony G
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 02:17 PMI am concerned that currently most of the health service workers appear not to want this "reform". They know a lot more about how the health service is run that the average customer or politician. Are we as taxpayers having an extra layer of taxation being paid to Circle Healthcare, and encouraging Mr Simmonds to support the Bill? Just who is Mr Simmonds supporting: His constituents or his paymasters! He will, of course say both, and could be right, but Mr Lansley has made a terrible job of selling this reform.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.