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Brown plans independent NHS board Brown plans independent NHS board
(about 2 hours later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown is considering a scheme to create an independent board to take day-to-day control of the NHS, should he become prime minister. Chancellor Gordon Brown is considering devolving day-to-day control of the NHS to an independent board, should he become prime minister.
His ideas, which he has asked health experts to examine, are central to plans he is said to be considering to devolve power in the public services. His ideas, which he has asked health experts to examine in detail, are said to be central to more general plans to devolve power in the public services.
It is not known whether he will refer to the plans at the Labour conference.It is not known whether he will refer to the plans at the Labour conference.
The conference will hear other ministers' proposals for an NHS constitution, like the BBC charter.The conference will hear other ministers' proposals for an NHS constitution, like the BBC charter.
Under Mr Brown's plans for a devolved NHS board, ministers would be kept at arm's length, their role limited to setting the NHS budget and strategic objectives.Under Mr Brown's plans for a devolved NHS board, ministers would be kept at arm's length, their role limited to setting the NHS budget and strategic objectives.
'Repeat trick''Repeat trick'
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was clear Mr Brown's plans for if he becomes prime minister are emerging. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was clear Mr Brown's plans for his predicted rise to the office of prime minister are likely to continue emerging.
One of the chancellor's close allies, Ed Balls MP, predicted more devolution in public sector services under Mr Brown.One of the chancellor's close allies, Ed Balls MP, predicted more devolution in public sector services under Mr Brown.
Almost anything that would insulate ministers from having to stand up in the House of Commons and defend everything that goes on in the NHS is a good idea Prof Julian Le GrandFormer adviser to Tony Blair Why have an independent board?Almost anything that would insulate ministers from having to stand up in the House of Commons and defend everything that goes on in the NHS is a good idea Prof Julian Le GrandFormer adviser to Tony Blair Why have an independent board?
Our correspondent said the pair believed their decision to make the Bank of England independent had restored trust and allowed the public to see that politicians were prevented from interfering with interest rate decisions. He said the chancellor had a past record of devolving policy from ministers - such as the decision to make the Bank of England responsible for interest rates.
"It is a trick they believe can be repeated elsewhere in government," he said. "The track record so far has been about devolution in important areas of policy - on monetary policy, on financial services policy, on local government and regional policy too," he told the BBC.
"I think we could see more of that in public services delivery as well."
Mr Brown is due to make a key speech to the Labour Party conference on Monday.Mr Brown is due to make a key speech to the Labour Party conference on Monday.
It will be Tony Blair's last conference as prime minister ahead of his resignation some time over the next 12 months.It will be Tony Blair's last conference as prime minister ahead of his resignation some time over the next 12 months.
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton called for there to be a "challenge" to the chancellor's bid to take on the reigns of the party.Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton called for there to be a "challenge" to the chancellor's bid to take on the reigns of the party.
"I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party," he said."I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party," he said.
'Public reassurance''Public reassurance'
Meanwhile reports say the new proposal of an NHS constitution will show that Mr Blair is determined to push an ambitious policy agenda before he leaves office.Meanwhile reports say the new proposal of an NHS constitution will show that Mr Blair is determined to push an ambitious policy agenda before he leaves office.
The proposals, which set boundaries over the extent of privatisation, are part of a new package of ideas put forward by MPs, including health minister Andy Burnham and pensions reform minister James Purnell.The proposals, which set boundaries over the extent of privatisation, are part of a new package of ideas put forward by MPs, including health minister Andy Burnham and pensions reform minister James Purnell.
I think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party John HuttonWork and Pensions Secretary Hutton urges Brown challengeI think there is an agreement that having a leadership election... could be a good thing for the Labour Party John HuttonWork and Pensions Secretary Hutton urges Brown challenge
The ministers say the NHS would be publicly accountable with less central control.The ministers say the NHS would be publicly accountable with less central control.
Writing in the Guardian, Mr Purnell said the idea of an NHS constitution was an "innovative way" of meeting the challenge of decision-making. Mr Burnham said that while they had drawn up their proposals independently of Mr Brown, it showed the way that thinking in government was converging.
He said: "By publicly enshrining the basic principles that underpin the NHS, such a constitution could provide reassurance for those worried change might go too far. "I think what you will find, what Gordon Brown has been saying does demonstrate the coherence of thinking amongst the Government," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"If public services are accountable to users, they no longer need to be accountable in detail to central government, meaning fewer targets imposed from the centre, less emphasis on command and control." "Particularly it is very much in tune with what Tony Blair and [Health Secretary] Patricia Hewitt have been saying.
"Devolving power to the very frontline is clearly the way, I think, we have to go in the future."
Downing Street officials confirmed that Mr Burnham had written a pamphlet fleshing out the idea of a health service charter.Downing Street officials confirmed that Mr Burnham had written a pamphlet fleshing out the idea of a health service charter.