NHS reform pledges identified by health minister

Local changes in the NHS will be subject to “tough rules”, according to health ministry Lord Darzi.

He identified five pledges that will be central to NHS reform, including change for the benefit of the patient and clinically driven change.

Changes to the NHS will be led on a local level and there was the promise of patient involvement and satisfaction.

Lord Darzi’s report, Leading Local Change, is a precursor to his final report on NHS reform.

He said: “It’s about change for the right reasons, improving quality of care for patients and saving lives.

“These pledges mean change will be locally-led, clinically-driven and evidence-based.”

More than 60,000 people have participated in the NHS review, including almost 2,000 clinicians and other healthcare staff; Lord Darzi’s review was announced in July and the intermin report was published in October.

Conservative leader David Cameron has indicated his party would not overhaul the NHS if it comes to power.