If the majority of MPs back the Health Bill the reform plans would be one step closer to becoming law. The Bill would then move to the Lords, where it would be further debated.

Ahead of the vote many campaign groups, including London Keep Our NHS Public and Unite, are holding protests outside parliament to urge MPs to vote against the Bill.

But talking to GP, Labour peer Lord Rea said it was unlikely that the majority of MPs in the Commons will vote against the Bill.  

He said Conservative MPs will back health secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans, with many Liberal Democrat MPs also voting in favour of the Bill.

Lord Rea said: ‘It would be very nice if the majority of Liberal Democrats didn’t vote in favour of the Bill. But I’m not expecting the Bill to fall in the Commons.’

It follows comments by GPC deputy chairman Dr Richard Vautrey who said the Commons will ‘inevitably’ vote along whip lines.

He said: ‘It will take an awful lot to have the Health Bill defeated in the Commons.’

NHS reforms: Interactive Health Bill timeline
Click on the image below to track the progress of the reforms through our daily coverage of key events