Newly appointed shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Labour is ‘firmly of the view’ that clinically-led commissioning could be set up without legislation or a ‘major reorganisation’.
In a letter to health secretary Andrew Lansley, he put forward a ‘constructive offer’: scrap the Bill and Labour will support the government in establishing a ‘representative commissioning team in each PCT area’.
Mr Burnham said this could see clinically-led commissioning become a reality 'within weeks' as it would work within the existing statutory framework.
He added: ‘Such an approach offers a way ahead and would bring immediate benefits to the NHS in terms of stability and savings. It would allow the focus of staff to be concentrated on tackling the financial challenge.'
'I hope you will take this offer as a genuine attempt to move things forward. However, if you choose not to listen and continue on your current course, I have real fears that you will cause great damage to the NHS.
