07 March 2003
Backbench Labour MPs leading the rebellion against government plans to introduce elite foundation hospitals have indicated they expect significant concessions in the controversial Bill when it is published in a month's time.
Labour opponents turned up the heat, following this week's fiery Commons select committee hearing on the issue, at which Health Secretary Alan Milburn gave an impassioned defence of his scheme.
More than 100 backbenchers have signed a motion condemning Milburn's plans – he claimed all NHS trusts could be offered foundation status over the next four to five years – because they fear it will lead to a two-tier NHS.
Other influential health experts within the party, such as health select committee member and former Radcliffe Infirmary finance director Julia Drown, have become increasingly hostile.
Drown told Public Finance: 'I may well withdraw my support for the Bill unless there are some concessions granted by ministers, and I am aware of other Labour MPs, outside of the 100 who have already signed up to oppose the plan, that are thinking along similar lines.'
Drown's biggest concern is the proposed extension of financial freedoms to foundation trusts, including cash borrowing plans, which are likely to be withheld from non-foundation institutions. 'That does not augur well for the future and could divide the quality of health care in the UK,' she said.
Milburn told the Commons he expected the draft Bill to be published in the next three to four weeks, with a second reading in the House to be completed by May.
That would pave the way for the first wave of foundation hospitals to come into force by April 2004. Milburn revealed that 32 trusts have now applied to be included in the first wave.
Speaking before the committee on March 4, he denied he was creating a two-tier NHS. But he acknowledged that the 'sharp-elbowed middle classes' would be the likely beneficiaries of the first wave of foundation hospitals, because they were more likely to 'vote with their feet' and travel to the proposed centres of excellence.
PFmar2003
