Intended for healthcare professionals

Editor's Choice

NHS reforms—why now?

BMJ 2011; 342 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d552 (Published 26 January 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;342:d552
  1. Fiona Godlee, editor, BMJ
  1. fgodlee{at}bmj.com

Views on the government’s plans for the NHS in England have come thick and fast since the Health and Social Care Bill was published last week (doi:10.1136/bmj.d507). They add to an already solid base of criticism that met last year’s white paper. The recent crop—from organisations representing GPs, hospital specialists, doctors in general, patients, managers, policy makers, and NHS employees—makes interesting reading (doi:10.1136/bmj.d413). Each is careful to acknowledge the logic of handing more power to clinicians and providing greater choice for patients, before itemising a raft of general and specific concerns.

Picking through the special interests is important. But whatever the various angles, and while acknowledging …

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