David Cameron is preparing to make key concessions to appease critics of his government’s controversial NHS reforms.
Under the most significant compromise, GPs reluctant to take charge of the health service in their local area will not be forced to do so.
The government originally planned to put GPs in charge of the £80 billion NHS commissioning budget from 2013. That deadline is now likely to be relaxed.
Ministers have also agreed on safeguards to prevent private health firms “cherry-picking” the most profitable services and leaving NHS hospitals financially disadvantaged.
The climbdowns come as Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, is to be sidelined by the prime minister as No 10 becomes frustrated by his inability to “sell” his health reforms.
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Cameron and Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, are to take centre stage in promoting the changes to the NHS amid concerns that neither the public nor health professionals have been persuaded by the government’s arguments.
Cameron is also concerned at opposition from senior Liberal Democrats within the coalition.
The government fears Lib Dems in the Lords could join Labour and defeat the bill unless there are changes. Lord Owen, the former Labour health minister, today warned that the NHS “is heading for a train crash”.