Nick Clegg: NHS must be fit to cope in 'lean' times

Nick Clegg has insisted the NHS in England needs to change because of advances in treatment, an ageing population and the UK's financial situation.

The deputy prime minister said: "We need a health service that can survive in lean times as well as plentiful ones".

"The world is changing and the NHS needs to change with it", he added.

The government's health plans, which have attracted widespread criticism, are currently "paused" for a consultation period.

The British Medical Association has called for a series of changes to the proposals and on Thursday warned that the entire Health and Social Care Bill may need to be withdrawn.