Mr Speaker
Concern about the NHS is not the exclusive preserve of the opposition, nor of our coalition partners.
In fact, I think every member here would agree that it is the single issue of the most concern to our constituents.
Which is why I applaud the Government’s decision to pause to listen and consult.
NHS reform is a gargantuan task, not to be undertaken lightly or in haste.
To that end, I too have been listening to and consulting the GP practices of South Dorset.
And what is most apparent is the rich seam of intelligence and problem solving which GPs will bring to the debate, so long as they have a genuine voice.
The GPs I spoke to are not averse to taking charge of commissioning budgets.
In fact, I would say that in general, they believe that, as doctors with the broadest experience of patient contact, they have much to offer the commissioning role.
Currently, they manage 80% of patient contact but a mere 20% of the money spent.
Clearly it makes sense that they should have a greater say in allocation of resources.
They were frustrated by supposed patient choice –like the choose and book system - imposed at the cost of of other local services.
And they prefer the proposed collegiate approach - where a GP, a consultant, a hospital representative and a member of the consortia work closely together on primary healthcare provision.
The value of their input on what is needed and where cannot be overestimated.
For example, in South Dorset, we have several of the most deprived wards in the country.
Their residents’ needs are extreme – and specific. In particular, they need more mental health provision, for which there is currently an inadequate budget.
Commissioning GPs would ensure that the money was there.
We also have a relatively high number of elderly constituents in Dorset.
GPs know that maintaining them in their own homes saves money.
Yet there has been a severe loss of rehabilitation beds and non acute services in Dorset due to cuts.
And there is a perilously thin line between being elderly and 98% well - and able to survive at home without help - and elderly and 95% well, and in need of care at home.
In addition, the GPs I spoke to suggested that Dorset could provide specialist centres of excellence related to the local community, such as hip replacement centres.
These would be cost effective and tailored to the area’s particular needs.
Finally, and most importantly, they were all agreed that the NHS should be free, as it always has been, at the point of delivery.
They did not support charges or anything leading to two tier healthcare.
I am certain that in this, they are completely in tune with the people they care for.
One of the glories of this country is that we care for our sick, from the cradle to the grave, without discrimination and without charge.
Therefore, rather than using the NHS as a political football, we must all do what we can to improve the way it works.
And on that note, I would like to say that the NHS is not a bauble, to be traded or given as a consolation prize.
Particularly as on so much of this, we are in agreement with our Coalition partners – as my Rt Hon friend, the member for Wokingham pointed out so ably on this morning’s Today programme.
And I quote:
‘The Coalition partners now want to look again.
Although it was in the Liberal Democrat manifesto.
Although they signed off on the White Paper.
They are entitled to think again.
And let’s hope that something better comes out of it.’