Labour Government at odds with party members over the NHS

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 29th Sep 2005

The government's plans to expand the role of the private sector in the NHS, were defeated yesterday after the big trade unions voted against it, despite a plea from the health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, that it was vital to achieving shorter waiting lists and a better service. The health secretary will not moderate her policies as a result of the vote, promising only to consult more and provide protection for any staff transferred into the private sector, claiming she has support in the constituency parties for radical reform.

Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary said "The flaw in Labour's approach to the NHS is that they talk about competition and survival of the fittest but at the same time they subsidise the private sector to encourage private hospitals to do work for the NHS. It is a waste of taxpayers' money to pay the private sector over the odds to do something the NHS could do anyway. The NHS needs reform, but Labour's market driven reforms will pit hospitals against each other, forcing some hospitals to wither on the vine. The priority needs to be promoting co-operation to drive up standards, and increasing accountability at a local level."