John Reid: Pressing on with reforms

The public overwhelmingly supports government moves to offer patients greater choice within the NHS, according to new polling data.

Almost two thirds of patients believe they should be given a greater say over the hospital where they are treated, research by MORI revealed on Tuesday.

Following interviews with 2,057 adults, the poll found that currently just 25 per cent believe they are offered a say in the hospital where they have their operation. But 59 per cent said they would like to be involved in making the choice.

And while only 11 per cent think they would currently be involved in the choice of surgeon for their operation, 40 per cent would like to be consulted.

The survey also found public support for patients to be given a greater say in the choice of medication they receive, including the use of alternative therapies such as acupuncture.

Echoing the views of government ministers, there was also a widespread belief that offering more choice within the NHS will help to push up standards.

MORI found that 46 per cent of the public thinks more choice will improve the level of care offered by the NHS, while just 17 per cent thought it would get worse and 29 per cent thought it would stay the same.

Among the 104 GPs also surveyed, 48 per cent thought the level of care would stay the same despite the introduction of more choice, while 19 per cent expected improvements and 28 per cent feared things might get worse.

However, there was also concern that greater patient choice would lead to higher workloads for GPs.

Some 88 per cent of the family doctors surveyed said they thought that more patient choice would add to their workload, and 46 per cent of the general public took the same view.

MORI chairman Bob Worcester said the research showed a desire among both GPs and members of the public for greater choice in healthcare

If more patient choice is provided on the NHS, it will be necessary to address public and GP apprehension that patients will find it difficult to express their healthcare preferences, Worcester added.

The latest research will offer support to ministers as they struggle to convince hostile unions and critical backbenchers to support the government's NHS reform plans.

Health secretary John Reid is already facing opposition to foundation hospitals at next week's TUC conference and at the Labour conference later this month.

But on Tuesday he insisted that the reforms would go ahead.

"At the end of the day it is the patient who comes first," he told the BBC.

"They are demanding an improved service and a degree of choice inside the health service."

By the end of 2005, patients should be offered a choice of four or five hospitals for their operation, Reid added.

But key union Unison said it was preparing for a "major offensive against foundation hospitals".

"There has been precious little consultation over foundation hospitals and our members and the public have been left feeling confused and worried over government plans," said Karen Jennings, the union's head of health.

"And they are right to be suspicious because Unison believes that they are leading the way to greater privatisation in the NHS."

Arguing that many MPs, councillors, patient and other groups are unhappy with the government's plans, Unison said it would publish a new guide for activists outlining the case against foundation hospitals, detailing the timetable for establishing the first wave of trusts and giving campaigning guidelines.