Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on the implications of the White Paper.

The Committee considered a report on the key points outlined in the NHS White Paper – Liberating the NHS: Equity and Excellence. 

The White Paper contained 4 key themes:

      Patients would be given more information and choice;

      Health outcomes would be improved to among the best in the world;

      Doctors would be empowered to deliver results – by being put in charge of what services best met the needs of local people;

      Unnecessary bureaucracy would be removed, waste cut and the NHS made more efficient.

The White Paper proposed the abolition of Strategic Health Authorities, by 2012, and Primary Care Trusts, by 2013.  GP consortia would be introduced to take over responsibility for commissioning most NHS services.  A new independent body – the NHS Commissioning Board – would be established to allocate and account for NHS resources, lead on quality improvements and promote patient involvement and choice.  Responsibility for public health would be transferred to local authorities and a new consumer champion would be introduced known as HealthWatch.

RESOLVED:  That the update on the NHS White Paper be received.