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Ray

True enough. However, observe:
- Wanting Consortia to be coterminous with local authorities.... like.... PCTs are today.
- No 'board positions' for provider medics, patients, or local councillors, but involvement in Senates (for which read network/ advisory groups, just as today) and commitments to processes of involvement.
- Public health outside the DH is a very significant move.
- A requirement for public board meetings for providers of NHS care gives a real challenge to the private sector who currently provide services.
- The "choice mandate" idea puts all the politics of where to introduce competition right back at the secretary of state's door. (some would say, where it belongs) requiring full public consultation (expect a bun-fight).
- The patients right to challenge lack of choice or poor quality service should put the frighteners on many a complacent service manager.

Most helpfully the language of "GPs know best" has been replaced with "multi-professional clinical and managerial partnership"

However, note......
- Complete silence on commissioning support public/private debate
- Open ended time-frames mean the NHS is condemned to double running for a decade.