Experts warn of disruption to NHS services caused by government reforms

Several health academics and policy experts have warned that NHS services may experience serious disruption while government reforms are implemented.

Some services could be fragmented and health inequalities made worse while the new GP commissioning consortiums try to establish themselves and become proficient, experts told MPs on the parliamentary health select committee on 16 November.

As part of their inquiry into commissioning, MPs asked whether the government’s proposal to abolish primary care trusts and strategic health authorities, and give responsibility for commissioning to GP consortiums, was the right approach.

When giving evidence, Martin Roland, professor of health services research at University of Cambridge and a GP, said: “Major health service …