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Blair 'hanging Hewitt out to dry' Blair 'hanging Hewitt out to dry'
(about 4 hours later)
Tory leader David Cameron has accused Tony Blair of "hanging his health secretary out to dry".Tory leader David Cameron has accused Tony Blair of "hanging his health secretary out to dry".
Patricia Hewitt faces a vote of no-confidence in the Commons later, over the junior doctors training allocations system. Patricia Hewitt is facing a vote of no-confidence in the Commons over problems with the training allocation system for junior doctors.
Mr Cameron said Ms Hewitt was a "lame duck" and asked whether Housing Minister Yvette Cooper would go over delays to Home Information Packs.Mr Cameron said Ms Hewitt was a "lame duck" and asked whether Housing Minister Yvette Cooper would go over delays to Home Information Packs.
Mr Blair said NHS reforms overseen by Ms Hewitt were "absolutely necessary".Mr Blair said NHS reforms overseen by Ms Hewitt were "absolutely necessary".
The Tories are calling for Ms Hewitt's salary to be cut by £1,000, the traditional way of signalling no confidence.The Tories are calling for Ms Hewitt's salary to be cut by £1,000, the traditional way of signalling no confidence.
'Damage''Damage'
Junior doctors complain that thousands of careers have been put at risk by the introduction of the new online system.Junior doctors complain that thousands of careers have been put at risk by the introduction of the new online system.
During lively exchanges at prime minister's questions, Mr Cameron said: "Everyone in the NHS and everyone in the country will notice that he is hanging his health secretary out to dry.During lively exchanges at prime minister's questions, Mr Cameron said: "Everyone in the NHS and everyone in the country will notice that he is hanging his health secretary out to dry.
"Doesn't he realise the damage it does to have a lame duck health secretary?""Doesn't he realise the damage it does to have a lame duck health secretary?"
He also urged Mr Blair to abandon changes to maternity units and accident and emergency departments.He also urged Mr Blair to abandon changes to maternity units and accident and emergency departments.
But Mr Blair said the government was being advised by people who knew better than Mr Cameron how to deliver health care.But Mr Blair said the government was being advised by people who knew better than Mr Cameron how to deliver health care.
He added: "I will not consider abandoning the programme at all, or the NHS."He added: "I will not consider abandoning the programme at all, or the NHS."
Reforms 'Incompetence'
On Monday British Medical Association boss James Johnson resigned, amid accusations he had failed to convey colleagues' anger. Opening the debate ahead of the no-confidence vote on Ms Hewitt, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The staff in the NHS have reached the end of the line with the secretary of state.
The MTAS (Medical Training Application Services) system was introduced to reduce the time taken for doctors to become consultants. "Serial incompetence and a failure to listen... mean she has no credibility left."
But it has been heavily criticised by doctors, many of whom were not selected for their first-choice NHS trusts, or did not get any interviews at all. He added: "Even were she to remain as secretary of state after a change in the prime minister, she cannot command the confidence and support across the National Health Service which is needed."
Mr Lansley said the number of NHS staff had fallen under Ms Hewitt and that the introduction of primary care trusts had been "botched".
On Monday, British Medical Association boss James Johnson resigned, amid accusations he had failed to convey colleagues' anger over the Medical Training Application Services system.
This was introduced to reduce the time taken for doctors to become consultants.
But MTAS has been heavily criticised by doctors, many of whom were not selected for their first-choice NHS trusts, or did not get any interviews at all.
The High Court is due to rule over the legitimacy of the system, which it has already ruled to be "unfair".The High Court is due to rule over the legitimacy of the system, which it has already ruled to be "unfair".
Mrs Hewitt has apologised for the system's failings, but has refused calls to resign.Mrs Hewitt has apologised for the system's failings, but has refused calls to resign.
Labour's majority is likely to ensure that she does not lose the opposition day debate.Labour's majority is likely to ensure that she does not lose the opposition day debate.
On Tuesday the government announced it was delaying the introduction of Home Information Packs in England and Wales until 1 August - when they will initially be brought in only for sales of homes with four bedrooms or more.On Tuesday the government announced it was delaying the introduction of Home Information Packs in England and Wales until 1 August - when they will initially be brought in only for sales of homes with four bedrooms or more.
The packs had been due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 JuneThe packs had been due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 June
Mr Cameron said the scheme had "completely collapsed".Mr Cameron said the scheme had "completely collapsed".
But the prime minister told MPs he would not advise successor Gordon Brown to drop the policy. He did not comment on Ms Cooper's future.But the prime minister told MPs he would not advise successor Gordon Brown to drop the policy. He did not comment on Ms Cooper's future.