Thank you for contacting me about the National Health Service Bill.
I believe that the proposed Bill would be an unnecessary upheaval and the wrong approach to improving the NHS.
The NHS today helps more people with higher quality care than ever before in its history. Each day, compared to 2010, the service is performing 4,400 more operations, seeing 2,500 more people in A&E within four hours and providing 1,400 more people with access to mental health services
Despite tight public finances, the Government has actively supported the NHS's own plan for the future. That is why it is providing the additional £10 billion of investment per annum in real terms by 2020/21 - compared to 2014/15 - requested to fund a transformation in care. It will also ensure that by 2020, everyone will be able to access GP services at evenings and weekends.
Since 2010, there are more than 10,000 additional doctors and almost 10,300 more nurses on our wards.
In my view, giving operational control for the day-to-day running of services to doctors was the right decision as they have the best understanding of their patients and local needs. Nonetheless the Government has always been clear that Ministers are responsible for the NHS, and I am proud of its performance in challenging circumstances.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
