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NHS review targets GPs and bugs NHS review targets GPs and bugs
(about 1 hour later)
Giving people easy access to GPs and tackling hospital infections are to form the key themes of the interim review of the NHS in England.Giving people easy access to GPs and tackling hospital infections are to form the key themes of the interim review of the NHS in England.
Lord Ara Darzi, a health minister and practising surgeon, will later set out what the government wants to do to tackle the twin priorities.Lord Ara Darzi, a health minister and practising surgeon, will later set out what the government wants to do to tackle the twin priorities.
He will also say that innovation has a key role to play in improving NHS care.He will also say that innovation has a key role to play in improving NHS care.
A £100m fund is to be set up for the next five years to support technological advancements.A £100m fund is to be set up for the next five years to support technological advancements.
Bringing forward Darzi's findings so soon is yet another example of this government using our NHS as a political football Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretaryBringing forward Darzi's findings so soon is yet another example of this government using our NHS as a political football Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary
It is to be overseen by a new Health Innovation Council in a joint partnership with the Wellcome Trust.It is to be overseen by a new Health Innovation Council in a joint partnership with the Wellcome Trust.
But it will be the announcement on GP access and hospital infections that will generate the most interest.But it will be the announcement on GP access and hospital infections that will generate the most interest.
Both subjects are likely to become key battlegrounds if an election is announced next week, as all three of the major political parties believe there are votes to be won by gearing policies towards them.Both subjects are likely to become key battlegrounds if an election is announced next week, as all three of the major political parties believe there are votes to be won by gearing policies towards them.
The government is looking at getting some GPs to extend opening hours into the evening and on Saturday mornings.The government is looking at getting some GPs to extend opening hours into the evening and on Saturday mornings.
Lord Darzi is also known to be keen on polyclinics, which are super-health centres combining community services, such as GPs and social care, with other care more associated with hospitals.Lord Darzi is also known to be keen on polyclinics, which are super-health centres combining community services, such as GPs and social care, with other care more associated with hospitals.
Private sectorPrivate sector
And the Department of Health is in discussions with the private sector about introducing GP services into the high street in supermarkets and pharmacies.And the Department of Health is in discussions with the private sector about introducing GP services into the high street in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Last month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown used the Labour conference to announce there was to be a "deep clean" of hospital wards as well as more powers for health staff to hold cleaners to account.Last month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown used the Labour conference to announce there was to be a "deep clean" of hospital wards as well as more powers for health staff to hold cleaners to account.
Meanwhile, the Tories said they would renegotiate the GP contract, which allowed family doctors to give up the responsibility for out-of-hours care.Meanwhile, the Tories said they would renegotiate the GP contract, which allowed family doctors to give up the responsibility for out-of-hours care.
GPs are coming under pressure to extend surgery hoursGPs are coming under pressure to extend surgery hours
The Darzi review was announced in the summer with the final report expected next year in time for the 60th anniversary of the NHS.The Darzi review was announced in the summer with the final report expected next year in time for the 60th anniversary of the NHS.
The government has set up a series of citizen juries to look at a range of issues covering safety, quality and access, with the aim of creating what ministers call a more personalised NHS.The government has set up a series of citizen juries to look at a range of issues covering safety, quality and access, with the aim of creating what ministers call a more personalised NHS.
But doctors and political parties are sceptical about the motives of the government as the interim report was not expected for another week.But doctors and political parties are sceptical about the motives of the government as the interim report was not expected for another week.
Jonathan Fielden, of the British Medical Association, said: "We hope it will set out a clear vision for the NHS and be about engaging with clinicians.Jonathan Fielden, of the British Medical Association, said: "We hope it will set out a clear vision for the NHS and be about engaging with clinicians.
"But my concern is that it will be about getting good news about before an election.""But my concern is that it will be about getting good news about before an election."
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Bringing forward Darzi's findings so soon is yet another example of this government using our NHS as a political football.Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Bringing forward Darzi's findings so soon is yet another example of this government using our NHS as a political football.
"How can NHS professionals feel confident and how can patients feel safe when they know that this report must have been cobbled together without consideration for clinical evidence.""How can NHS professionals feel confident and how can patients feel safe when they know that this report must have been cobbled together without consideration for clinical evidence."
Liberal Democrat Health Secretary Norman Lamb said it had only been three months since Gordon Brown launched the review.
"How much can he have listened while engineering all the talk about elections?
"The key to providing better services to patients is making the NHS more responsive to local communities, not a plan imposed on the whole country by ministers sitting in Whitehall."