The government has suffered a significant rebellion over controversial plans to establish foundation hospitals.

The legislation was passed with a majority of just 35 - the lowest since Tony Blair came to power in 1997 - with over 120 Labour MPs defying a three line whip to either vote for the rebel amendment or abstain.

Forum Response: Mutuo

Peter Hunt, director of Mutuo, told ePolitix.com: "Mutuo welcomes the Commons vote in favour of this important bill, which will make NHS trusts more accountable to local communities, and more patient focussed. We hope that those who have opposed the government's reforms will now work constructively with ministers to ensure that the new, decentralised NHS is a success for patients, employees and communities.

"The bill has been substantially strengthened since its second reading. We particularly welcome the amendments put down by Labour and Co-operative MPs, which are designed to ensure that foundation trusts have a legal duty to encourage participation from the widest possible range of local stakeholders.

"The existing mutual sector, including the co-operative retail sector, building societies and friendly societies, has a wealth of experience in delivering the culture of democratic participation that needs to be engendered if the new NHS reforms are to be a success. The government and individual NHS Trusts should work closely with these organisations over the coming months to make the best use of this expertise."

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

Dr Beverly Malone, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The RCN remains extremely cautious about the development of NHS foundation trusts. The RCN is concerned that there is the potential for health inequalities to widen and geographical disparities to develop in the provision of health services.

"Nurses have been at the forefront of modernising the delivery of patient care and are the largest single professional group of healthcare workers. The RCN believes it is vital that there is nurse representation at executive level in every foundation trust so that the voice of nursing is fully involved in decision making at the highest level.

"The arrangements around foundation trusts are complex. Details around financial freedoms are complicated and are developing day by day. The RCN wants clear guidelines on the role, powers and appointment of an independent regulator.

"The RCN believes the regulator must have robust powers to intervene and deal with issues around local staff recruitment and retention. They must be able to deal with failing foundation trusts and impose transitional arrangements in such circumstances to ensure seamless provision of healthcare and the delivery of good quality patient care."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Geraint Day, health policy analyst at the Institute of Directors, said: "The Commons vote on foundation hospitals is a move in the right direction. This bill will free up much of the top-down bureaucracy in the NHS and should, over time play an important part in creating a more user-responsive NHS."