RCP comment on publication of Health Bill

Wednesday, 19 January 2011 12:00 AM

Sir Richard Thompson, President of the Royal College of Physicians, commenting on the publication of the Health Bill, said:

"We support the shift towards a system that puts clinicians and patients in the driving seat and the emphasis on outcomes and quality. Whilst we welcome the broad provision in the Bill to seek professional expertise, the RCP is concerned that the Bill does not require that specialists are at the heart of the commissioning process. The mandated involvement of secondary care specialists in commissioning is essential if patients across the country are to have access to the services they need and the standards they deserve, and the RCP will continue to push for this."

"The scale and pace of change - and the challenge of unprecedented efficiency savings - should not be underestimated. Neither should the risks if we get this wrong. We are also anxious to ensure that the system builds in effective safeguards to protect against service fragmentation. The fragmentation of services would have detrimental impacts on the very areas the reforms seek to improve: the quality of services, education and training, patient choice, efficiency and equity."

The full RCP statement follows:

The Health and Social Care Bill proposes fundamental changes to our health service. The Royal College of Physicians will analyse the Bill in detail, and continue to work to ensure the development of a system that delivers quality care for all.

It is right that the health service strives to deliver efficient, innovative and integrated services, focused on the best outcomes for patients and communities. The Royal College of Physicians supports the shift towards a system that puts clinicians and patients in the driving seat, and promotes collaboration between professions and across primary, secondary and social care.

Sir Richard Thompson, President of the Royal College of Physicians said:

"We, like other medical Royal Colleges and the Health Committee, believe that effective commissioning must involve - not just GPs - but the entire clinical community. Although we welcome the duty for Consortia to seek appropriate advice when discharging their functions, we do not believe this goes far enough. In order to ensure patients across the country have access to the services they need and the standards they deserve, we will continue to press for mandated involvement of secondary care specialists in commissioning decisions and structures.

"The scale and pace of change - and the challenge of unprecedented efficiency savings - should not be underestimated. Neither should the risks if we get this wrong. It is vital that reforms are based on solid evidence and open, honest dialogue with those delivering services on the frontline. The RCP remains concerned that the government's proposals do not fully resolve the issues associated with price competition. There is strong evidence that competition based on price harms, rather than enhances, quality. We are also anxious to ensure that the system builds in effective safeguards to protect against service fragmentation. The fragmentation of services would have detrimental impacts on the very areas the reforms seek to improve: the quality of services, education and training, patient choice, efficiency and equity.

"We look forward to constructive dialogue with government, the Department of Health and partners to address these issues as the Bill progresses".

Sir Richard's full statement appears below.

Linda Cuthbertson
PR Manager
Royal College of Physicians
11 St Andrews Place
Regent's Park
London NW1 4LE
Tel: 020 3075 1254, 07748 777919
Out of hours: 07896 416409

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