What The Nhs Reforms Could Mean For You

By Author: Janes Watson
Total Articles: 1
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Much has been made in the press recently about the forthcoming NHS reforms,one of the biggest projects yet undertaken by the UK coalition government,and already the subject of fierce debate in parliament and in the media. But what does it mean,and how could it ultimately affect the patient?

One of the major aims of the NHS reform, according to the government, is to improve efficiency.The current NHS structure has come under fire for being weighed down by bureaucracy.Around 80% of the NHS budget is currently held by local managers working for 151 primary care trusts (PCTs) across England. These PCTs are effectively responsible for planning and buying local services such as hospitals,GPs,mental health units and community clinics.

The reform plans to ultimately scrap these PCTs and place many of their responsibilities into the hands of GPs working in around 500 consortiums around the country.Health secretary Andrew Lansley believes that this will help to make the NHS more responsive to patients, as he believes front-line GPs are better placed to understand the needs of the patient and to push forward improvements.By ...
... phasing out more than 24,000 management staff it is also hoped that this will save money and improve efficiency.

These changes will not happen overnight - the government aim to have the GP consortiums up and running by April 2013.In terms of patient care one of the most significant changes is the proposed scrapping of patient boundaries, allowing you to register with any GP surgery you choose.A patient body known as 'Healthwatch' is also planned, to collate information about performance and feedback from patients themselves.

Some MPs and healthcare officials have voiced concerns about the cost to patient services while the reforms are taking effect.Many employees of the PCTs may end up leaving for other opportunities before they are fully phased out, leading to an organisational shortfall.If this is the case,patients could find themselves relying more and more on private healthcare.

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