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Blair 'hanging Hewitt out to dry' Blair 'hanging Hewitt out to dry'
(9 minutes later)
Tory leader David Cameron has accused Tony Blair of "hanging his health secretary out to dry". Conservative leader David Cameron has accused Tony Blair of "hanging his health secretary out to dry".
Patricia Hewitt is facing a vote of no-confidence in the Commons over problems with the training allocation system for junior doctors. Patricia Hewitt is facing a vote of no-confidence over problems with the junior doctors online job system.
Mr Cameron said Ms Hewitt was a "lame duck" and asked whether Housing Minister Yvette Cooper would go over delays to Home Information Packs. At prime minister's questions Mr Cameron asked whether Mr Blair would advise his successor, Gordon Brown, to "keep the health secretary in post".
Mr Blair said NHS reforms overseen by Ms Hewitt were "absolutely necessary". Mr Blair said that was up to Mr Brown. His spokesman later told journalists Mr Blair retained confidence in her.
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' 'Lame duck'
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."
Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman was later asked whether the premier retained confidence in Ms Hewitt and replied: "Absolutely."
He added that she was taking "hard" decisions for not just the long- term survival but the long-term success of the NHS.
'Incompetence''Incompetence'
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.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.
"Serial incompetence and a failure to listen... mean she has no credibility left.""Serial incompetence and a failure to listen... mean she has no credibility left."
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."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".Mr Lansley said the number of NHS staff had fallen under Ms Hewitt and that the introduction of primary care trusts had been "botched".
Ms Hewitt, who received support by on the front bench of the Commons from several members of the Cabinet, replied: "The most important judgement, the single most important test of the NHS are the patients who use it every day of the year."
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.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.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.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".
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.