Hewitt heralds family health shake-up

Speaking to the National Leadership Network, Patricia Hewitt said: “I want to hear the views of people working in the NHS and social care. And I want to hear from the patients and users of its services about their experiences.

“My predecessors, Alan Milburn and John Reid, put in place a series of major structural reforms that were largely focused on hospital services. Over the next few years we need to implement these changes, giving patients far more choice and control over their treatment, improving quality and safety, and delivering on our promise of a maximum 18 weeks between GP referral and treatment.

“Halfway through our ten-year programme of investment and reform, it is now time to focus more closely on the family health services provided by GPs, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and others in primary and non-scheduled care. In the forthcoming White Paper promised by the Prime Minister, we will set out a vision for family health services fit for the 21st century.”