Andrew Lansley’s health reforms have never been in the rosiest of health; but, as
Pete observed yesterday, the current malaise may leave permanent damage. Paul Waugh has
been speaking to Alan Milburn and the modernising former Health Secretary’s words speak volumes about Lansley’s trails:
“I’m amazed they allowed themselves to get into talk about privatisation and cuts. Having originally said this was a revolution they’re now saying it’s just evolution of Labour’s reforms. Politically, it doesn’t make sense. “Look, a managed form of competition is fine. The problem is that the lynchpin of the reforms was GP commissioning. “It’s a good idea to get family doctors to be aware of the financial consequences of their decisions. So that’s a tick. “But it’s a bad idea to assume that GPs can handle the complex business of commissioning local services. It’s also a bad idea to weaken political accountability.”
Milburn itemises Lansley’s policy errors, whilst perhaps suggesting that his political errors have been more glaring. It’s a reasonable proposition if that’s the case. The coalition has contrived to be on the wrong side of the debate, despite having increased real terms NHS spending when Labour would cut.
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