NHS policy will undergo “considerable” change under the new coalition government, according to a senior official.
Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, described changes to the way PCT boards and chief executives are appointed as “interesting”, and added that they could help make the way decisions are taken at a local level more transparent.
He did, however, add that the need to find £20bn of savings by 2014 had to be considered in tandem with the changes.
Mr Edwards (pictured) said: “The service should be under no illusion, the changes as set out today in areas like regulation, the GP contract and out-of hours care represent a considerable shift for the NHS and the challenge now will be to rise to the challenge presented by this new agenda and work to understand its implications.
“The emphasis placed upon both public health and mental health issues in the document is also welcome and will hopefully reflect a commitment which will continue throughout the lifetime of this government.”
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“The one thing that the NHS can rely on is change, therefore, we are always prepared for change. It will be interesting to know if the proposals are merely rearranging the deckchairs again or are of a more fundamental nature to improve the service” – Name and address withheld
