The Patients Association cautiously welcomes today’s White Paper
The Patients Association cautiously welcomes today’s White Paper
12/07/2010 For immediate release
Katherine Murphy, Director, said: “We applaud the Secretary of State’s promise to put patients at the centre of healthcare in England. Patients are the customers as well as the shareholders of the NHS. They should be central in order to ensure precious resources are not wasted on things that they do not want.
The expansion of LINks into HealthWatch will be followed with interest. Again, the Secretary of State must ensure a level playing field of competence and independence of all those advocating for patients locally. We hear too many tales of cosy relationships with NHS bureaucracy when what is required is a robust, patient-first approach.
The Secretary of State says that the value behind the White Paper will be “no decision about me, without me”. We agree, but there is a long way to go to make parts of the NHS fit for purpose before the reforms will bring about the radical change needed by some patients in some parts of the postcode NHS.
This is a massive re-organisation of the NHS which could have a serious impact on staff and lead to instability - Today we have had lots of promises but let us see if the rhetoric yet again becomes the reality for patients - the proof will be in the pudding or is this yet another re-organisation of the deck chairs on the Titanic!”
For more information and to arrange interviews please contact the Patients Association on 0208 423 9111.
