Yesterday, the Prime Minister, David Cameron made a speech which highlighted “real changes” towards the NHS reforms. The speech is in preparation for the report from the NHS forum, which is due to published next week. The NHS forum, an independent group of the country’s leading NHS professionals and patient representatives, have been analysing the results from the Government Listening exercise, in which local people had another opportunity to tell the Government what they thought of the proposals.

The key points from the Prime Minister’s speech:

• “Five guarantees” on the future of the NHS which Cameron expects to be held personally accountable on.
• No cuts in NHS spending.
• Competition is still on the agenda for the Government, however: “Monitor’s (Independent regulator) main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use health care services and will use competition as a means to that end”.
• Groups of doctors and nurses will be involved in new consortia planning and buying care, not just GP. These groups will take charge of commissioning in their own area, only when they are ready, not by 2013 as stated previously.
• The 18 week limit on waiting lists and the four hour waiting time target in Accident and Emergency will remain. There will still be a focus on the outcome of treatment.

Read the Prime Minister’s speech for more information.