Doctors reject reform of NHS

Ministers are facing a growing rebellion from doctors over their plans to reform the NHS.

A major online survey for the British Medical Association found most doctors were not convinced the potential benefits of the plan outweighed the risks. Of the 1,500 doctors questioned by Ipsos MORI, 65 per cent believed increased competition in the NHS would reduce the quality of patient care.

A similar percentage believed the proposed system of clinician-led commissioning would increase health inequalities.

And 61 per cent thought the reforms would lead to them spending less time with patients.