Change to NHS plans for patient choice

The government needs to make changes to its NHS plans for England to ensure the best interests of patients are protected, an independent review says.

The NHS Future Forum, which carried out a two-month consultation, called for the overhaul to happen more gradually.

The panel of experts also said it wanted to see a greater balance between competition and co-operation among NHS hospitals, charities and private firms.

Professor Steve Field, the former head of the Royal College of GPs who led the forum, said while the principle of putting doctors in charge was well supported, he had heard "genuine and deep seated concerns" from many.

"If the substantial changes we propose are accepted by government then I think the resulting framework will place the NHS in a strong position."