Liberal Democrat NHS Policy
Lib Dem vote against support for bill puts more pressure on peers
Liberal Democrat peers are under pressure to make more changes to the Health Bill after a manoeuvre by the party’s leadership in support of the bill backfired at its spring conference on Sunday.
Lords row over 'secret' file on NHS reform risk
The government has said it is highly unlikely that a tribunal judgment on releasing a confidential risk assessment of its health reforms would be delivered before the legislation’s next stage through parliament.
Government 'duty of candour' plans criticised
Government proposals to contractually oblige organisations providing NHS services to inform patients of mistakes in their care have been criticised as inadequate.
Senior Lib Dem peer wants more 'teeth' for HealthWatch
The Liberal Democrat health spokesman in the Lords has called for the Health Bill to be amended to give HealthWatch more “teeth”.
Social care funding set to divide coalition ministers
Senior Liberal Democrats are preparing to clash with the Treasury and their Conservative partners over increased funding for long term care.
Blood donor reforms ‘don’t go far enough’
Blood donation eligibility criteria should be based on individual behaviour, backed by advanced screening, not on sexuality, the Liberal Democrats conference has heard.
Ministers should be allowed to intervene in another Southern Cross, says Burstow
Health minister Paul Burstow has hinted the government may seek to introduce legislative changes allowing it to directly intervene in any future cases similar to the collapse of Southern Cross.
Non-GPs must get exec roles, says top Lib Dem
Clinical commissioning groups should be required to have a nurse and doctor with secondary care experience involved in executive decision making roles rather than on a governing board, Baroness Shirley Williams has said.
Unions could resist reforms through 'non-cooperation'
Unions may consider non-cooperation action against the government’s NHS reforms, a leader has warned at the Liberal Democrat conference.
Lib Dems renew Health Bill concerns ahead of Commons debate
NHS reform will again raise coalition government tensions this week when MPs consider the revised package.
Take fight to Tories, urges Clegg
Nick Clegg will urge Liberal Democrats to “take the fight” to the Tories in local elections on 5 May as he attempts to calm party fears over the impact of the national coalition.
Lib Dems rebuke leadership over NHS reforms
Nick Clegg sought to soothe anxious Liberal Democrats after they dealt him a sharp rebuke over the coalition’s controversial NHS reforms.
Pledge for democratic input on commissioning 'watered down'
Health minster Earl Howe has revealed the government’s proposed health and wellbeing boards will not be compulsory.
Edwina Hart cleared of misleading Welsh Assembly
First minister Carwyn Jones has cleared his health minister Edwina Hart of misleading the Welsh Assembly, saying he was “surprised and disappointed” by the claims against her.
Pace of public spending cuts 'not set in stone'
The pace and scale of public spending cuts is not set in stone and could be changed if the policy fails to rescue the economy, a Liberal Democrat cabinet minister has said.
Millions spent on NHS bonuses in Scotland - Lib Dems
Millions of pounds were spent on NHS bonuses in Scotland last year, the Liberal Democrats have said.
Lib Dems win ground on directly elected PCT boards
The Liberal Democrats have achieved one of their manifesto pledges by getting a commitment to elected members of PCT boards.
Hospital campaign MPs retain seats by small margin
Two Liberal Democrat MPs who fought a five year battle to preserve an emergency unit in south west London have been returned with majorities of around 2,000.
Lib Dems take target seat where Clegg promised a re-opened A&E
Lib Dem Gordon Birtwistle has taken Burnley.
