Health Bill: Lord Owen on call for changes to bill

Lord Owen claimed he was no luddite when asked why some peers were opposing coalition policy to reform health changes in England, as he explained his backing for previous changes to health services.

But the former health secretary said "We must not allow the secretary of state to abdicate from all responsibility for the provision, as well for the promotion, of health care."

The cross-bencher said the Health and Social Care Bill would exclude the health secretary from these decisions.

Jo Coburn interviewed health minister Simon Burns on Friday, who rejected Liberal Democrat criticism and said there would be proper scrutiny.

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