More dissent, but is it too late?

Joining the ranks of the unions, health professions and the BMA, the GPs have now decided that the Coalition's reforms to the NHS will damage, in fact irreparably damage, the future of healthcare.

In response, the Government has stated that it is confused and baffled by the stance that has now been adopted by GPs given that, after talks with the Royal Colleges over the weekend, further amendments will be incorporated into the Bill when it returns to the House of Lords next week.

The Government is not the only one who is baffled by this change of heart.

Until now, we are aware that there are pilot sites, supported by GPs, that cover 97% of England. They are now saying that they intend to abandon this activity and, by doing so, stop the Bill in its tracks – or are they merely expressing a view?

The problem with this number of 'Johnny or Jill come latelies' – the BMA, RCN and RCM have already expressed the same views – is that they have made their point when the Bill is already on its way through Parliament and where changes have already been made in SHAs and PCTs and redundancy notices have been issued.

It is satisfying that they are now singing our tune, but why could they not see the damage that these changes will do to the fabric and future of the NHS a year ago when a collective NHS voice and opinion would have been far more effective? Why is it only now they have woken up to what we have all been saying and why are they still forging ahead with pilots?

As we have already stated, the joint unions with the SoR have been actively opposing this Bill from the outset and on 7 March there is a TUC lobby in London to reinforce this message. (At the present time, it is unclear whether the non-TUC unions will be with us, but, given the statements they have made public in opposing the Bill, we hope they will be there).

If the GPs are really serious about their fears about this Bill – and, let’s face it, they are integral to the operation of the reforms – then let them put their money where their mouth is and withdraw from all activity to reconfigure services.

While the GPs are now on with the masses and on message, and agree that these changes pose a high risk for the future of the NHS, there is another interesting development that has been played down, but is nevertheless also very relevant.

The Secretary of State for Health will appear before the Information Commissioner to explain why he will not release a Government report on the risks associated with the NHS reforms. To date, this has been a secret report that the Government has refused to publish – is that the sound of shredders I hear in Whitehall?

Warren Town, SCoR Director of Industrial Relations