Report Reveals NHS Reforms Are 'Damaging' And 'Distracting'

A report on the government's record on NHS reform has concluded that the upheaval caused by the Health and Social Care Act has been "damaging and distracting".

The new report by The King's Fund shows some positive developments as a result of the Act including closer involvement of GPs in commissioning services, giving local authorities responsibility for public health and the establishment of health and wellbeing boards.

However, it criticises the decision to implement complex organisational changes at a time when the NHS should have been focused on tackling growing pressures on services and an unprecedented funding squeeze.

Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, said: "Historians will not be kind in their assessment of the coalition government's record on NHS reform. The first three years were wasted on major organisational changes when the NHS should have been concentrating on growing financial and service pressures – this was a strategic error.

"Only latterly has the government adopted a more positive focus on improving patient care and achieving closer integration of services. Politicians should be wary of ever again embarking on such a sweeping and complicated reorganisation of the NHS."

(CD/JP)