Only one in four back NHS reforms

Only one in four people supports the Government's controversial health reforms, according to a trade union study today.

A survey of over 1,600 adults by Unison also found that almost two thirds do not trust the Government to handle the NHS. Less than a third were in favour of GPs having the power to commission health services from private companies - a central plank of the reforms.

Only 12% of 2010 Lib Dem voters supported the bill and just 20% trusted the Government's handling of the NHS, the research found.

Two thirds of 2010 Lib Dem voters were against private companies being commissioned by GPs to provide services.

Unison urged the Government to listen to patients, health professionals, unions, Royal Colleges, think tanks, and to the public, and to drop its bill.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The Government has to drop its Health and Social Care Bill. Unison's poll shows that the hundreds of amendments, and the so-called listening exercise simply haven't worked.

"The public doesn't trust the Government with the NHS and realises that this Frankenstein bill will mean the end of the health service as we know it.

"The Tory-led coalition is going back on pre-election promises, ploughing on despite the mounting opposition to this expensive re-organisation. Meanwhile, all over the country health workers are losing their jobs, as patients have pain-relieving operations cancelled.

"The Government needs to start listening. Voters will never forgive, or forget, the party that ruins our NHS."

PA