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Health and Social Care Bill Update

Posted by Joan Walley, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, at 17:04, Thu 15 March 2012:

Hi All

I thought I'd give you an update on the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill.

Labour this week tabled an opposition day motion urging the Government to drop the Bill, during which a number of Labour MPs spoke passionately in defence of our NHS. The motion was a response to an e-petition entitled “Drop The Health Bill” which has received over 170,000 signatures, adding to the now overwhelming weight of consensus by medical professionals, patients and members of the public that oppose the Government’s reforms. To read the official Hansard record of the debate, please click on the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120313/debtext/120313-0001.htm#12031360000001

I spoke during the debate, to raise some of my particular concerns about the bill. Firstly, I voiced my concern about the NHS Risk Register, which the Government has declined to release, thereby preventing these reforms from proper public scrutiny. I am also concerned about the Bill’s expansion of private sector involvement in the NHS, such as the threat of companies using loss-leader tactics to unfairly drive NHS services out of the market, and the lack of Government powers to prevent private firms from cherry-picking only the most lucrative healthcare contracts. I raised this issue in my speech, to read the speech in full, please click on the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120313/debtext/120313-0002.htm#12031375000065

Unfortunately the Government was able to use its majority in the House of Commons to defeat Labour’s motion, and appears determined to press forward with its reforms against the will of both medical professionals and patients.

The Bill is due to receive its third reading in the House of Lords this coming Monday, the 19th March. I assure you that the Labour Party continues to do all it can to fight to protect our NHS.

Yours sincerely

Joan Walley MP