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User groups look for safeguards

All activity around the NHS reforms is now focusing on Westminster, as the health service Community Care Bill goes before Parliament. After the formality of a second reading in December, the bill now goes into committee stage in January and February to be discussed line by line and amended.

A number of initiatives are being taken in an attempt to ensure the bill contains safeguards for service users. These include a joint critique of the white paper issued by a wide range of voluntary organisations.

The launch of the ‘Health Users’ Initiative’ is the first time such a wide range of groups representing NHS users has spoken out on the government reforms. In particular, the response sets out the essential preconditions required for any reform of the NHS to succeed, and explains the need for strong safeguards to protect the interests and rights of the patients in any new market-style NHS.

In assessing the government’s case set out in Working for Patients, the voluntary groups conclude that without strong regulation, more resources, and much greater public support for the reforms, the NHS faces a very uncertain future in the 1990s.

Responding to this widespread anxiety in the voluntary sector, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations has set up two working groups to co-ordinate lobbying activity. Along with MPs opposed to the bill, the groups will be working to translate misgiving into hard-hitting amendments. In Parliament, shadow health secretary Robin Cook recently held a meeting of voluntary groups to cement links with opposition MP’s. Mr Cook and the NCVO are making an appeal for local examples which to illustrate the current failure of the NHS to meet needs.

Health Service Users’ Initiative. GLACHC, 100 Park Village East. London NW1 3SR. £1.