Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Hepburn and Simon Burns

Tuesday 8th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab)]

11. What recent representations he has received on his proposed reforms of the NHS.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns)]

The Government received more than 6,000 responses to the White Paper consultations. As a result, we have significantly strengthened both our approach to implementation and our proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill. We continue to engage widely across the health sector on our modernisation plans.

[Mr Hepburn]

Is not it only a Tory Government who can bring a system into the NHS whereby doctors get paid more for giving less treatment to their patients? What does the Minister have to say to the chairman of the BMA’s GP committee, who described the plans for the quality premium as “appallingly unethical”?

[Mr Burns]

I have to admire the hon. Gentleman’s sheer gall, because, of course, it was his own Government’s 2004 contract with GPs that enabled them to do less work for far more money.