NHS Confederation: Concerns still exist over reforms

Healthcare professionals still have some concerns over the implications of the planned NHS reforms, despite the government's recent amendments to its proposals.

This is according to NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar, who stated in his first major speech in charge of the organisation that there is still "much to worry about".

He stated that certain proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill are sound in principle, adding that the listening exercise conducted by the government has left the legislation in a "better place".

However, he said that the issues of excessive centralisation and bureaucratic restrictions remain pressing matters, as do the perceived "attack" on management represented by the bill.

Mr Farrar also expressed worry over a "lack of political courage when reconfiguration of services is justified on quality, safety and, let's name it, on cost grounds".

The British Medical Association has also expressed ongoing concerns over the direction of the NHS reforms, though it has ruled out the idea of opposing the bill in its entirety.