The health secretary has claimed that Britain's poorest people are not being helped by the NHS.

John Reid set a new tone in government policy when he delivered his first major speech in his new role.

He acknowledged he is facing an uphill task to adjust to the job.

"I've got a lot of reading to do, a lot of listening to do, a lot of learning to do and a lot of dialogue to do," he said.

The move is being seen as an attempt to end the rift with opponents of Labour's reform plans.

Speaking at the NHS Confederation annual conference in Glasgow, Reid claimed that the NHS has still yet to achieve its goal of "equal access".

"In all of our decisions, plans, calculations or debates, all of us should recognise that the NHS must become even more of a personal health service, truly patient centred. The principles of the NHS is defined around the need of the patients, not the needs of the providers," he said.

Reid sought to define the government's modernisation plans in terms outlined by the prime minister, saying they are an exercise in increasing choice in the NHS.

"The challenge for us as we change the system is to extend choice to all, not to deny it to those who have it but to help every patient be an informed patient. To ensure that the choice and convenience of service does not depend either on where you live or how much you can afford," he said.

Adopting a less confrontational style than his predecessor, Alan Milburn, he said there is a "considerable differential" in who accesses NHS services.

He claimed Britain's poorest have a 30 per cent higher need for hip replacements but get a 20 per cent lower rate of operations.

Reid stressed his commitment to the "traditional Bevanite principles" of the NHS and the government's commitment.

"It was and it is and it will remain a noble cause. It truly is the biggest and best gift given to the British people by the British people," he said.

He also challenged critics of the government's focus on targets arguing "they aren't the end in themselves; they are a means to an end - serving the patient".

His surprise appointment as health secretary has forced him to shift his style from confrontation to conciliation.

Officials at his department say he was concerned by the appointment to what is his first big department and that his ministerial team is also short on experience.

A change in tone may not be enough and there is increasing speculation that the government may feel it is time to make concessions on the foundation hospitals plans if rebel Labour MPs are not to inflict another damaging revolt on the government.

Many backbenchers fear that freeing leading hospitals of Whitehall control will lead to a two-tier health service and begin the privatisation of the NHS.

Reid attempted to allay those fears by casting himself in the tradition of the post-war father of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan.

However, the key vote on foundation hospitals has been postponed from next week to give Reid some more time to win over potential rebels.