Last Updated: 22 July 2010

Ask the health secretary about the NHS

(22/07/10) A live webchat with health secretary Andrew Lansley gives people the chance to ask questions raised by the white paper on the health service.

The No10 website is asking people to join the webchat at number10.gov.uk at 10.30am.

You will be able to submit your questions directly into the discussion or via Twitter.

There are a number of things you might like to ask the health secretary – here are some suggestions:

• The white paper heralds massive changes to the way our NHS is run. There has been no time allowed for any realistic consultation and half of GPs don't want it – isn't it going to cause chaos and lead to a worse service for patients?



• Given that most GPs will have to employ private consultants to manage their commissioning, won't that raise conflicts of interest, where private companies are both commissioning and offering NHS services?



• The cap on treating private patients in foundation hospitals is to be lifted. Given that hospitals are facing massive budget cuts, won't they be tempted to treat higher paying private patients at the expense of NHS patients?



• Doesn't this bill open the door to more top-up payments in the NHS by expanding personal budgets, undermining its very core principles? Will it introduce a two/three-tier service with the de-luxe hip replacement and full course of physio versus the basic quick stay and short course if you can't afford it?
  
  
• The bill says that, in return for greater choice, patients must take responsibility for the choices they make. Does that mean the NHS will restrict access to care for groups such as smokers or the obese?



• Isn't this whole re-organisation going to cost billions at a time when we can least afford it?



• How will any of this improve patient care?



• Why won't the government commit to keeping the two-week referral for cancer patients?



• What is going to happen to public health in the re-organisation?

Please encourage your friends and colleagues to take part in the webchat. And send out details to any email networks, blogs, Twitter or Facebook contacts.

Join the webchat by clicking here