GP newspaper: NHS Reforms timeline

Timeline created by nickbostock in Politics

Timeline Text view

Event Date:	Event Title:	Event Description:
07/12/2010	White Paper published	White Paper published just two months after the Tory-Lib Dem coalition took office. GP newspaper coverage: White Paper negotiations begin How the NHS reacted
08/01/2010	Unison takes legal action	Health union Unison tries to take legal action over reforms carried out before consultation ended. Click here to read the full article
09/28/2010	BMA response to White Paper	The BMA response to the White Paper warns of PCT ‘implosion’ and says GPs should not lose contracts if consortia fail, but pledges ‘critical engagement’, not outright opposition to NHS reforms.
10/05/2010	RCGP response to White Paper	RCGP response to White Paper expresses ‘major concerns’. Click here to read the full article
10/07/2010	Professor Steve Field backs reforms	Then RCGP chairman Professor Steve Field hails White Paper as ‘once-in-a-lifetime chance’ for GPs to regain clinical control of the NHS. Click here to read the full story
10/07/2010	White Paper consultation ends	NHS bodies including the BMA respond to the NHS White Paper. GP coverage: BMA demands GP contract protection Full NHS reaction to reforms
11/15/2010	Dr Gerada warns of reform danger	Dr Clare Gerada takes over as RCGP chairwoman and speaks out strongly about dangers of the NHS reforms. Click here to read the full story
12/08/2010	First wave of 52 GP consortia ‘pathfinders’ announced	First wave of 52 GP consortia become ‘pathfinders’ Click here to see the first wave of GP consortia
12/15/2010	DoH reveals GP consortia funding details	NHS operating framework pledges £25 to £35 per patient funding for consortia running costs by 2014/15 and plans to move PCTs into clusters. DoH response to White Paper consultation. Click here to read the full article
01/19/2011	Health Bill unveiled	Health Bill published. GP coverage: Reaction from NHS organisations Video interview with Dr Clare Gerada Consortia may struggle
02/01/2011	GPs oppose reform	RCGP poll finds 61% of GPs oppose DoH’s NHS reforms Click here to read the full story
02/03/2011	Former primary care czar backs reforms	Consortia can revive 'corpse' of practice-based commissioning, says Dr David Colin-Thomé
02/15/2011	Meldrum under pressure	Predictions that BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum could be forced to quit amid anger among doctors that BMA response to NHS reforms has been too weak. U-turn on government plans to privatise England’s forests linked to possibility that same could happen with NHS reform Click here to read the full article
02/28/2011	Second wave of GP consortia pathfinders	Details of the next wave of consortia to gain pathfinder status Click here to read the full article View the interactive map here
03/02/2011	Third wave of GP consortia pathfinders	A number of consortia from the second wave have now merged, meaning the total number of pathfinder consortia is now 177. Click here to read the full article
03/12/2011	Liberal Democrat revolt	Pressure builds on NHS reforms as Liberal Democrat conference demands local councillors on consortia boards, measures to prevent private firms ‘cherry-picking’ services. Click here to read the full article
03/15/2011	BMA emergency meeting	BMA special representative meeting rejects vote of no confidence in Andrew Lansley, but calls for Health Bill to be withdrawn. Click here to watch video from the event
03/22/2011	Andrew Lansley rap	Andrew Lansley Rap takes YouTube by storm and threatens to top charts. Click here to watch Lansley rap
04/01/2011	Fourth wave of consortia pathfinders	Fourth wave of pathfinder con-sortia brings total number to 220 and coverage of England to 90% of population Click here to see the map of 220 GP consortia
04/06/2011	Listening exercise launched	Andrew Lansley announces ‘listening exercise’ – a pause in Health Bill progress through parliament. Former RCGP chairman Professor Steve Field appointed chair of NHS Future Forum to lead the exercise.
04/13/2011	Lansley no confidence vote	Nurses at Royal College of Nursing congress vote 96% no confidence in Andrew Lansley Click here to read the full article
05/06/2011	Election wipeout for Liberals	Liberal Democrat councils wiped out in local elections. Senior party members set out tougher stance on NHS change. Click here to read the full article
05/10/2011	Lansley pledges Bill changes	Lansley tells House of Commons the Health Bill will be changed substantially. Click here to watch the House of Commons debate
05/16/2011	PM pledges NHS integration	Prime minister warns not changing the NHS is not an option, but promises to tone down any willing provider policy and create mechanism to promote integration of NHS services despite competition. Click here to read the full article
05/17/2011	NHS competition challenged	GP leaders believe they are 'clearly starting to win the argument' on NHS reform after deputy prime minister Nick Clegg challenged plans to drive up competition in the NHS. Read the full story here
05/19/2011	Lansley defends Monitor role	Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has defended the Health Bill's inclusion of a role for Monitor in promoting competition. Read the full story here
05/24/2011	Health Bill delayed	The Health Bill could be sent back to the House of Commons for further scrutiny following the listening exercise, the health secretary has admitted. Read the full story here
05/26/2011	Health Bill delayed further	Nick Clegg says amended Health Bill will need to be sent back to in the House of Commons for further scrutiny. Click here to read the full story.
06/02/2011	NHS faces crisis without reforms	Andrew Lansley said the NHS will be in ‘crisis’ if the financial challenges facing it are not dealt with immediately. Click here to read the full article
06/02/2011	How will the Health Bill be changed?	Pressure has been building for changes to the Health Bill since the government said on 4 April that its progress through parliament would 'pause' while a listening exercise took place. Click here to read the full article
06/07/2011	Health Bill will 'kill modern medicine'	The best of Hippocratic medicine will 'die' if Health Bill reforms are implemented, Liberal Democrat peer Lord Owen has warned. Read the article here
06/07/2011	Monitor must support integration	Monitor will have a duty to support integration of services and will be helped in this role by 'clinical senates', David Cameron has announced. Read the full article here
06/13/2011	NHS Future Forum - key points	The long-awaited NHS Future Forum report has been published, suggesting radical changes to the government's plans to reform the NHS. Read the full article here
06/14/2011	Government response to Future Forum	Read the full story hereThe government has accepted the core recommendations of the NHS Future Forum report on its health reforms and will now re-commit parts of the Health Bill for debate in the House of Commons.
06/15/2011	GP consortia plans dubbed 'unworkable'	GPs warn health secretary Andrew Lansley that plans to force consortia to appoint nurse and hospital doctor board members from outside their local area are unworkable. Read the full story here
06/16/2011	Milburn: 'car crash' NHS reforms	Labour MP Alan Milburn has attacked NHS reforms, saying they give less power to GPs and will result in 'patchwork quilt of decision-making'. Read the full story here
06/17/2011	Quality premium removed from Health Bill	NHS chief executive David Nicholson announces proposals to hand commissioning groups 'quality premium' incentives have been removed from the Health Bill. Read the full story here
06/20/2011	Government updates timetable for NHS reform	The government reveals its updated timetable for its NHS reform programme as it begins to drive through a number of changes to the plans. In its full response to the NHS Future Forum’s recommendations the government says it aims to strike a balance between maintaining momentum and allowing more time to recognise that some organisations may not be ready to take on their full responsibilities on the current timetable.
06/22/2011	Consortia could merge	Consortia controlling billions of pounds in NHS funding could be forced to merge or rethink their commissioning plans after the DoH response to the listening exercise, GPs have warned. Responses from 99 PCTs under the Freedom of Information Act show that 41% of GP consortia control PCT budgets. County Durham and Darlington consortium chairman Dr Stewart Findlay said: ‘I’m concerned that regional clinical senates may think consortia have to be bigger to work.' Read the full story here
06/22/2011	Reform red tape could hinder commissioning benefits	Dr Johnny Marshall said the NHS reform changes introduced following the government’s listening exercise must be handled carefully to ensure clinical commissioning groups, formerly GP consortia, do not just ‘recreate PCTs’. He warned that the plans to require GPs to consult with a number of professionals, including clinical senates, could slow commissioning decisions. Read the full article here
06/24/2011	Pension reform anger forecast	The number of ARM motions concerning pensions this year is 'unprecedented', according to the BMA's pensions committee chairman. Read the full article here
06/27/2011	'Health Bill to sail through parliament'	Norman Lamb says updated Bill has been well received by Liberal Democrat MPs. Read the full article here
06/28/2011	BMA votes for Health Bill withdrawal	GPs vote for the BMA to continue to campaign for the Health Bill's withdrawal. Read the full article here
06/29/2011	Video: RCGP Health Bill warning	Dr Clare Gerada says the Health Bill is a straitjacket on the NHS in an exclusive video interview. GP's deputy editor's blog warns that the government must not railroad its reforms through parliament.
07/05/2011	Heart czar quits over Health Bill	DoH heart czar Roger Boyle says the government's NHS reforms are a key factor in his decision to stand down.
07/07/2011	GP graphic maps the new NHS	GP's infographic maps how the NHS will work under the DoH reforms, after the government's response to the listening exercise.
07/07/2011	NHS board plans leaked	Leaked board papers reveal the colossal scale of the NHS Commissioning Board being set up to oversee the revamped health service.
07/08/2011	Fifth wave of commissioning groups revealed	Health secretary Andrew Lansley unveils a fifth wave of pathfinder commissioning groups, taking the total to 257. Visit GPonline's commissioning map.
07/08/2011	Peers set out Health Bill priorities	When the Health BIll heads to the House of Lords, peers will demand greater accountability for GP commissioners and may hand health and wellbeing boards greater powers, according to Lord Hunt (pictured).
07/13/2011	DoH czar: all GPs are commissioners	Watch GPonline's exclusive video interview with Dr Barbara Hakin, DoH czar for commissioning. Dr Hakin says the current NHS reforms will have a greater impact on GPs than any previous reorganisation during her NHS career.
07/18/2011	London GPs protest over NHS reforms	Heavy rain didn't stop a group of 60 NHS professionals including GPs in east London from coming out to protest about NHS cuts and the Health Bill.
07/22/2011	GPC will 'lobby like mad' for Health Bill amendments	The GPC want the Health Bill amended as there remains a 'great discomfort' in the profession around 'large elements' of it. Read the full article here
07/25/2011	Petition on accurate Bill backing	A petition has been launched against the government's claim that clinical commissioning sign-up is an indication of GP support for the reforms. Click here to read the full story
07/26/2011	Labour highlights NHS competition fears	Monitor's duty to promote competition has not been sufficiently altered by Health Bill amendments, Labour has warned. Read the full story here
08/17/2011	Warning on the risks of NHS reforms	'Wake up' to risks of NHS reforms before too late, says Lib Dem MP Read the full story here
08/19/2011	GPs to help lead NHS Future Forum	GPs will sit in key positions on the NHS Future Forum's four ongoing workstreams Read the full article here
08/30/2011	Lansley's role may change	The health secretary will be able to 'wash his hands' of the NHS if the Health Bill becomes law, legal experts have warned. Read the full article here
08/31/2011	GP Consortia to CCGs	Most amendments to the Health Bill are concerned with changing the name GP 'consortia' to 'clinical commissioning groups' Read the full article here
09/01/2011	Future Forum's ongoing work	Professor Field: 'Getting the policy right at this stage gives us a chance to genuinely improve the care the NHS delivers.' Read the full article here
09/01/2011	Lords may still scrap Health Bill	As MPs prepared for a final debate on the Health Bill, a news analysis by GPonline warns that it still has a long way to go to pass through parliament. It could yet be derailed in the House of Lords.
09/06/2011	GPs warn Bill destabilises NHS	Leaders of the BMA, RCGP and other health organisations set out their opposition to the Health Bill ahead of key debates in the House of Commons.
09/07/2011	MPs set to back Health Bill	Labour peer predicts MPs will vote in favour of the government's Health Bill following debates in the House of Commons.
09/29/2011	GP petition against Health Bill	GPs in east London collected more than 4,000 signatures for a petition that demands the Health Bill is scrapped. Read the full story here
10/03/2011	Health Bill cuts DoH responsibility	A House of Lords committee has warned that the Health Bill as it stands will transfer some of the health secretary's existing duties to clinical commissioning groups. Read the full story here
10/04/2011	Lansley: 'no regrets' over Health Bill	Andrew Lansley told the Conservative party conference in Manchester that he has no regrets over his plans to reform the NHS.
10/09/2011	GPs join NHS demonstration	Up to 3,000 protesters took part in the 'block the bridge' protest, including many GPs. Click here to view more photos
10/13/2011	GPs to keep fighting Health Bill	Health unions have pledged to continue to voice concerns and work for changes in the Health Bill after it survived a key vote in the House of Lords.
10/13/2011	Lords vote 'Yes' on Health Bill	The Health Bill passed its second reading in the House of Lords, as members rejected motions calling for it to be thrown out and for additional scrutiny by a special committee.
10/24/2011	Lansley Health Bill 'concessions'	Speaking at the RCGP conference in Liverpool, health secretary Andrew Lansley appeared to offer a series of concessions over practice boundaries, GP training, his own responsibilities and the any qualified provider policy.
10/27/2011	Labour attacks 'suicide note' Health Bill	Labour secures House of Commons debate on Health Bill, accusing prime minister David Cameron of breaking three pre-election pledges on the NHS.
10/27/2011	Video: Lansley on privatisation	Watch GPs at the RCGP conference quiz Andrew Lansley on whether the Health Bill will lead to NHS privatisation.
11/10/2011	'Quality premium' to go ahead	The DoH is to press ahead with a bonus payment for successful commissioning groups despite opposition from the BMA.
11/16/2011	MPs call for accurate NHS funds	Report from House of Commons public accounts committee warns that funding for commissioning groups must be based on more robust data than PCT allocations.
11/18/2011	CCG board elections 'rigged'	PCT clusters have too much control over who is selected to run clinical commissioning groups, the GPC has warned.
11/28/2011	DH withholds Bill risk analysis	The DH has refused to comply with a request from the Information Commissioner to publish a risk assessment revealing potential problems with the NHS reforms.
12/07/2011	BMA warns NHS in chaos	The BMA warned that the pace and incoherence of NHS reforms has put patients at risk.
12/16/2011	CCGs face unfair PCT pressure	GP leaders warn that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) face unfair pressure from PCT clusters on who they take commissioning advice from, when they seek authorisation and even which services they choose to buy.
12/22/2011	Fresh RCGP poll on Health Bill	The RCGP launches a poll to assess GPs' views on the Health Bill, asking whether the College should demand the Bill be withdrawn. Previous RCGP polls have shown strong opposition to the Bill among GPs.
01/03/2012	Variation in pay for commissioners	Rates of pay for GP commissioners vary from less than £50 per hour to more than £100 an hour in different parts of England, a freedom of information request from the Labour Party reveals.
01/12/2012	98% of GPs back Bill withdrawal	RCGP poll finds that 98% of GPs would back the College if it joined other royal colleges in calling for the withdrawal of the Health Bill.
01/12/2012	EU 'legal trap' for GP groups	GPC leaders warn GPs in commissioning groups that EU rules will plunge them into a 'bureaucratic nightmare, forcing them to put all services they commission out to tender.
01/12/2012	Video: Field on Future Forum plans	In an exclusive video interview, NHS Future Forum chairman Professor Steve Field tells GP how primary care must modernise as part of the NHS reforms.
01/19/2012	Nurses join Health Bill opponents	The Royal College of Nursing alters its stance on the Health Bill, moving to opposing the Bill in its entirety.
01/20/2012	Video: DH adviser backs small CCGs	DH clinical commissioning network lead for England Dr James Kingsland defends his CCG after it received a 'red' rating in a risk assessment, and says GP commissioners can fight back against pressure from managers.
01/24/2012	MPs warn of NHS 'salami-slicing'	House of Commons health select committee warns NHS organisations are salami-slicing existing services instead of genuinely seeking to reform them in drive for £20bn Nicholson savings target.
02/03/2012	Health Bill amendments do not go far enough	The government has published amendments to the Health Bill which focus on greater patient involvement and increased responsibilities for the health secretary and CCGs. Read the full story here
02/03/2012	RCGP demands withdrawal of Health Bill	The RCGP has written to prime minister David Cameron demanding the complete withdrawal of the Health Bill. Read the full story here
02/08/2012	Calls for Lansley to quit	BMA leaders call for Lansley to quit as Lords prepare to debate reforms Read the full story here
02/23/2012	e-petition to scrap Health Bill	GP's e-petition to scrap Health Bill 'best supported yet' Read the full story here
03/01/2012	Health Bill 'threat to GP-led care'	GP warns Health Bill threatens ability to oversee patient care Read the full story here
03/06/2012	VIDEO: GP confronts Lansley	Medical Practitioner's Union president Dr Ron Singer confronted health secretary Andrew Lansley as he visited a London hospital and demanded he drop his 'rubbish' Health Bill.
03/07/2012	RCGP chair urges Lords to drop Bill	RCGP chairwoman Dr Clare Gerada sets out her views in a guest editorial for GP magazine, calling on the House of Lords to throw out the Health Bill.
03/08/2012	Lansley rejects Health Bill lottery fear	Health secretary Andrew Lansley writes to GP magazine to counter claims from an NHS adviser that the Health Bill reforms will deepen inequalities in access to drugs for patients.
03/08/2012	GPs join anti-Health Bill march	GPs join protest as thousands of NHS staff march on parliament in protest over Health Bill.
03/12/2012	Lib Dem conference blow to Bill	Liberal Democrat spring conference throws out motion calling for peers to support the Health Bill ahead of a vote in the House of Lords, following campaigning by activists including GP Dr Charles West.
03/14/2012	NHS constitution will check Bill impact	NHS Future Forum chairman Professor Steve Field claims the NHS Constitution will stop the Health Bill creating postcode lotteries.
03/14/2012	MPs reject GP's e-petition	The House of Commons rejected calls for the Health Bill to be scrapped after an e-petition set up by Manchester GP Dr Kailash Chand forced a debate.
03/16/2012	Lord Owen: 'Make risk register public'	Crossbench peer and former health secretary Lord Owen demands a halt in the Health Bill's passage through parliament until the government publishes the 'risk register' document setting out potential problems the reforms may cause.
03/20/2012	GPs react as Bill clears Lords	GPs are split over what it means for the profession as the Health Bill completes its passage through the House of Lords ahead of a final Commons debate.
03/21/2012	NAPC: 'NHS will back reforms'	National Association of Primary Care chairman Dr Charles Alessi sets out his belief that health professionals and NHS organisations will put aside their differences and work together to make the Health Bill reforms a success.
03/21/2012	Health Bill set to become law	Health Bill clears its final parliamentary hurdle and is set to receive royal assent by Easter.
03/27/2012	Draft risk register leaked	Clinical commissioning groups may go bust, GPs may be ill-prepared to take on commissioning roles, and GP contract negotiations may be undermined if the Health Bill becomes law, a leaked draft of a risk register on NHS reform reveals.
03/27/2012	Health Bill receives royal assent	Health Bill becomes an Act as it receives royal assent ahead of Easter parliamentary recess.