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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 -
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 -
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. -
RCGP response to White Paper
RCGP response to White Paper expresses ‘major concerns’. Click here to read the full article -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Health Bill unveiled
Health Bill published. GP coverage:
Reaction from NHS organisations
Video interview with Dr Clare Gerada
Consortia may struggle -
GPs oppose reform
RCGP poll finds 61% of GPs oppose DoH’s NHS reforms Click here to read the full story -
Former primary care czar backs reforms
Consortia can revive 'corpse' of practice-based commissioning, says Dr David Colin-Thomé -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Andrew Lansley rap
Andrew Lansley Rap takes YouTube by storm and threatens to top charts. Click here to watch Lansley rap -
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 -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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 -
'Health Bill to sail through parliament'
Norman Lamb says updated Bill has been well received by Liberal Democrat MPs. Read the full article here -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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). -
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. -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Video: Lansley on privatisation
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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. -
'Quality premium' to go ahead
The DoH is to press ahead with a bonus payment for successful commissioning groups despite opposition from the BMA. -
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. -
CCG board elections 'rigged'
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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. -
BMA warns NHS in chaos
The BMA warned that the pace and incoherence of NHS reforms has put patients at risk. -
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. -
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. -
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](Freedom of information request from Labour Party finds r) reveals. -
98% of GPs back Bill withdrawal
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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. -
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. -
Nurses join Health Bill opponents
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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. -
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. -
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 -
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 -
Calls for Lansley to quit
BMA leaders call for Lansley to quit as Lords prepare to debate reforms
Read the full story here -
e-petition to scrap Health Bill
GP's e-petition to scrap Health Bill 'best supported yet' Read the full story here -
Health Bill 'threat to GP-led care'
GP warns Health Bill threatens ability to oversee patient care Read the full story here -
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. -
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. -
GPs join anti-Health Bill march
GPs join protest as thousands of NHS staff march on parliament in protest over Health Bill. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
MPs reject GP's e-petition
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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. -
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. -
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. -
Health Bill set to become law
Health Bill clears its final parliamentary hurdle and is set to receive royal assent by Easter. -
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. -
Health Bill receives royal assent
Health Bill becomes an Act as it receives royal assent ahead of Easter parliamentary recess.
