Key MPs 'Preparing To Slam NHS Reforms'

Controversial NHS reforms planned by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley are reportedly facing harsh criticism from an influential cross-party group of MPs.
The Commons Health Committee is preparing to say proposals were obstructing efforts to make the NHS more efficient and failed to address the needs of an ageing population, The Observer reports.
The paper said the committee, chaired by Conservative former health secretary Stephen Dorrell, had concluded the plan to restructure the NHS in England and devolve more power to GPs was making it more difficult to achieve the target of £20bn in efficiency savings by 2014-15.
It quoted a "late draft" of the committee's report as saying: "The reorganisation process continues to complicate the push for efficiency gains.
"Although it may have facilitated savings in some cases we heard that it more often creates disruption and distraction that hinders the ability of organisations to consider truly effective ways of reforming service delivery and releasing savings."
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said it was now clear Mr Lansley's reform plan had been a "monumental mistake" and called for a government rethink.
"This report is a damning indictment of the Government's mishandling of the NHS," he said.
He told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan: "It is time for David Cameron to listen to what doctors, nurses and now his own senior MPs are saying and call a halt to this reckless reorganisation.
"They are wasting money on this reorganisation. If they push through with this, they will push the NHS off the cliff and into chaos."
Former Lib Dems leader Paddy Ashdown said the coalition would listen to the contents of the report "but should not change course".  
Health Minister Simon Burns insisted the Government was determined to put the NHS on a sustainable footing.
"We all know the NHS is facing pressures from an ageing population and the increasing costs of medicines. That's why we are spending an extra £12.5bn on the NHS. We have also made £7bn in efficiency savings as performance has improved," he said.
"These will all help in the short term, but if we are to put the NHS on a sustainable footing for the future reform is essential. Our modernisation plan will put doctors in charge, slash bureaucracy and give much more power to patients."