Patient Groups Concerns Over NHS Changes

This a rather excoriating article in Healthcare Republic. It reports the results of a survey by Patient View who surveyed 887 patient groups, representing more than one million patients. They are extremely cynical that Lansley's changes are for the better:

• respondents identified cutbacks as their main fear, despite a pledge to ring-fence the NHS budget
• fear cuts to central monitoring services such as the Audit Commission will lead to a decline in NHS standards
• three quarters do not believe that the government wants to hear their views
• none of the patient groups had been directly consulted by the DoH on the future of the NHS

It is quite clear that the government has the view that it is right and everyone else - regardless of their experience and expertise - is wrong. As Alexandra Wyke, managing director Patient View, says:

‘If you’re going to encourage community groups to get involved in a "Big Society", it might be a good idea to talk to them first’.