Increasing competition in the NHS

Patients have been promised more choice in where they are treated as a result of plans for more competition in healthcare.

Dr David Bennett, head of the economic regulator Monitor, has told the BBC he expects to see many more private companies and charities treating NHS patients. If NHS services cannot attract patients they will be allowed to close.

The British Medical Association is opposing the plans to increase competition in healthcare in England as part of the coalition government's health bill.

Under the government's plans an organisation called Monitor will regulate a healthcare market in which NHS , private sector companies and charities will compete to treat NHS patients.

The BBC's health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys reports.