NHS Reform Bill

Smoke and mirrors at Prime Minister’s Questions. Either the NHS is on the brink of collapse or it’s all plain sailing in Britain’s A&E wards. FactCheck crunches the numbers.

What’s the difference between the government’s new “Healthcare UK” plan to export NHS experitise abroad, and Labour’s NHS Global plan? Plagued by a sense of déjà-vu, FactCheck dons its white coat.

“He’s also right that overall clinical staff levels have risen…but only if you choose your time frame carefully.”

As David Cameron himself rued today, it has been four weeks in row of NHS questions from Ed Miliband. Amid the bitter debate, both sides of the House have taunted each other – reeling off names of high profile support or opposition for the Bill and slinging out statistics at high speed. Well it’s time for a check up. Who’s behind the Bill, and who’s against it? FactCheck does a roll call.

Revolting peers have landed their first blows on Andrew Lansley. Today they’re starting a marathon two-day debate on the health and social care bill, and the government is worried. The Department of Health has hit back with a “mythbusting” dossier. Will it succeed? Over to the team.

The claim “What they are proposing is…commissioning, not simply being done by an accountable organisation, but potentially being done by the private sector. And I think that is a very, very dangerous situation.” Ed Miliband MP, Q&A session following a speech on NHS reform, April 4, 2011