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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
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| NHS review targets GPs and bugs | NHS review targets GPs and bugs |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A major package of measures has been unveiled to improve access to GPs and tackle hospital infections. | |
| Ministers have asked local health chiefs to work with GPs in a bid to get half of practices opening on Saturday mornings or in the evenings. | Ministers have asked local health chiefs to work with GPs in a bid to get half of practices opening on Saturday mornings or in the evenings. |
| Money is also being set aside to open 100 new practices in the poorest areas and 150 polyclinics with a range of extra services, open seven days a week. | Money is also being set aside to open 100 new practices in the poorest areas and 150 polyclinics with a range of extra services, open seven days a week. |
| All hospital patients in England are also to be screened for MRSA. | All hospital patients in England are also to be screened for MRSA. |
| This screening will start with all elective admissions for MRSA next year, building to all emergency admissions over the next three years. | This screening will start with all elective admissions for MRSA next year, building to all emergency admissions over the next three years. |
| And a £100m fund - in partnership with the Wellcome Trust - is to be set up for the next five years to support technological advancements, it was announced. | And a £100m fund - in partnership with the Wellcome Trust - is to be set up for the next five years to support technological advancements, it was announced. |
| 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 secretary Send us your comments | 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 secretary Send us your comments |
| The package was unveiled in an interim review of the NHS being led by Lord Ara Darzi, a health minister and practising surgeon. | The package was unveiled in an interim review of the NHS being led by Lord Ara Darzi, a health minister and practising surgeon. |
| 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. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was about making the NHS the "best it can be". | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was about making the NHS the "best it can be". |
| And on the forthcoming NHS anniversary, he added: "I think it is an occasion not just to celebrate the NHS, but to renew it for future years." | And on the forthcoming NHS anniversary, he added: "I think it is an occasion not just to celebrate the NHS, but to renew it for future years." |
| But the publication of the report - a week ahead of schedule - has further fuelled speculation an election will be announced next week. | But the publication of the report - a week ahead of schedule - has further fuelled speculation an election will be announced next week. |
| The focus on GP access is also telling as this is widely expected to be the key battleground on health. | The focus on GP access is also telling as this is widely expected to be the key battleground on health. |
| Ministers have come under attack for the GP contract in 2004 which allowed doctors to give up out-of-hours care, while at the same time granting them huge pay rises. | Ministers have come under attack for the GP contract in 2004 which allowed doctors to give up out-of-hours care, while at the same time granting them huge pay rises. |
| The funding for the new practices, polyclinics and extended hours will not be revealed until the comprehensive spending review is published - mostly likely next week. | The funding for the new practices, polyclinics and extended hours will not be revealed until the comprehensive spending review is published - mostly likely next week. |
| But Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "This is a massive investment in primary care provision and will benefit millions of patients." | But Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "This is a massive investment in primary care provision and will benefit millions of patients." |
| He also said he wanted to open up a "dialogue" with GPs rather than tear-up the contract. | He also said he wanted to open up a "dialogue" with GPs rather than tear-up the contract. |
| But the report warned the government would be willing to see funds used to invite private sector providers into the market if GPs refused to be more flexible. | But the report warned the government would be willing to see funds used to invite private sector providers into the market if GPs refused to be more flexible. |
| GPs are coming under pressure to extend surgery hours | GPs are coming under pressure to extend surgery hours |
| Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs' committee, said: "Any changes must not undermine the quality of service that practices are already providing." | Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs' committee, said: "Any changes must not undermine the quality of service that practices are already providing." |
| But 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. | But 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." |
| And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said it had only been three months since Gordon Brown launched the review. | And Liberal Democrat health spokesman 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?" | "How much can he have listened while engineering all the talk about elections?" |