Ministers are to attempt to win support for controversial health reforms by promising to give patients a greater voice, following a review by a Birmingham GP.
A panel led by Steve Field, a partner at Bellevue Medical Centre in Edgbaston, is preparing a report following a “listening exercise” which attracted nearly 16,000 responses.
The consultation, which ended on May 31, was launched by Prime Minister David Cameron following opposition to proposals to scrap NHS health trusts and make GPs directly responsible for commissioning care.
But Health Secretary Andrew Lansley indicated that ministers had already accepted the need to give patients a greater voice in decision-making.
Speaking the day after the consultation closed, he said: “Returning to the Bill, one of the things we are intending to do is create much greater opportunities for the patients voice to be heard – including through Health Watch and Local Authorities.
“But we need to ensure that patient involvement in their own care is built into how the NHS works.
‘‘Consortia and networks need to do more to involve patients. We need to make sure they are integral to how they work.”
Prof Field, a former chairman of the Royal College of GPs and honorary professor at Birmingham University, was recruited to chair a new committee which has been speaking to patients, doctors and surgeons across the country as part of a “listening exercise” to determine whether the reforms should be scrapped or modified.
He was drafted in by Mr Cameron in what has been seen as an attempt to sideline Mr Lansley and to appease Liberal Democrat critics of the proposals.
However, there is significant support for the health reforms among Conservative backbenchers, some of whom are angry that Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has apparently been allowed to block the planned reforms.
The panel has received around 15,000 website responses and 720 letters. It will present its report to ministers before the end of the month.
Prof Field has indicated he is likely to recommend significant changes.
