NHS competition rules 'withdrawn'

[Northerner]

The government has agreed to withdraw and re-write controversial proposals on contracting out in the NHS in England.

The regulations were published two weeks ago to provide guidance on how the NHS reforms should be implemented.

But critics had argued they would open up many more services to competition from private companies and could disrupt services for patients.

Health Minister Norman Lamb told MPs the wording of the regulations had "inadvertently created confusion".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21672962

I should flipping hope so too!

 

[Northerner]

Government announces 'humiliating u-turn' on competition regulations in NHS

In an eleventh hour reversal, ministers withdrew controversial regulations governing competition in the NHS in what Labour described as a ?humiliating u-turn.?

Four weeks before major reform of the NHS is due to take effect, placing GPs in charge of over half the ?100 billion budget, the rules on contracting with the private sector will now be re-written.

The climbdown, announced by Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health minister, was hailed as a victory by campaigners who have opposed increased private involvement in the NHS.

Fears about privatisation have been at the centre of the dispute over the reforms throughout the passage of the Health and Social Care Act, which became law last year.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...n-competition-regulations-in-nhs-8521622.html