RCGP demands withdrawal of Health and Social Care Bill

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has written to the prime minister calling for the controversial Health and Social Care Bill to be scrapped entirely.

Despite the government pledging to introduce a number of amendments ahead of its next reading in the House of Lords, the college has voiced concern that the bill will cause "irreparable damage" to care quality and fundamentally undermine the NHS.

A member poll conducted by the RCGP last month showed that 98 per cent of those within the body supported the idea of the college lobbying for a complete abolition of the bill.

Until now, the organisation – which is the UK's largest medical royal college – has held of calling for a withdrawal, instead preferring to present its concerns and hold discussions, but it now fears that any amendments that have been made will only create confusion.

Dr Clare Gerada, chair of the RCGP, said nothing has been done to address issues raised by the college 18 months ago, adding that she believes increasing competition will lead to fragmented care and inequalities.

She said the bill "risks leaving the poorest and most vulnerable in society to bear the brunt".