The majority of healthcare managers believe the Health and Social Care Bill is “fundamentally flawed” and should be dropped, a survey suggests.
In a poll by the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM), three-quarters of respondents said the government’s proposed health reforms will not result in better patient care.
A further 75% of respondents also said the bill will lead to more fragmentation in the health service.
Despite the number and extent of the amendments, IHM members “remain concerned the bill will cause irreparable damage to patient care and jeopardise the NHS”.
“The Health Bill, together with the approach to the implementation of the bill has both angered and frustrated the membership of IHM, leaving them fearful of the future, specifically in relation to patient and client care which they see as being eroded as a consequence of the above,” said Sue Hodgetts, IHM Chief Executive.
“Our members are calling to oppose the Bill.”
Almost one in nine respondents to the IHM poll fear the government’s reforms will increase the involvement of the private sector and 80% said the bill will not reduce the amount of bureaucracy in the NHS.
Do you fear the bill will increase private sector involvement in the NHS? Your comments (terms and conditions apply):
“I have worked in the health service for a number of years and from my own experience I recognise the bias political point scoring and protection of self interests that seem to be propagantered throughout the debates on the Health Bill. I for one am for the Bill – the NHS requires changing and is long overdue. Let the Health Secretary get on with his changes. We will all be better for it both in better evidenced care and treatment. As a byproduct efficiency savings will be apparent in the not so distant future” – V Henry, London
“Yes. For most of us potential patients, this is not going to be good for access or quality of care” – Rod Sheaff, Liskeard
