Minister's plans for NHS mean more reorganisation, warns Jenny Randerson

4.59.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

Plans to combine NHS trusts and end the internal market in health services could mean yet more confusion in the health service, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson warned today.

"I'm worried that the Minister's plans to merge health trusts will simply lead to bigger, more powerful health trusts. This could create unequal relationships with local health boards and make it difficult for organisations to work effectively in partnership.

"I am also concerned that the Minister's planned announcement on the internal market in the NHS spells more big changes at a time of uncertainty. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have long called for an end to unsettling and expensive reorganisation for the sake of it. Patients and healthcare providers need stability and collaboration between the different elements of the NHS. The focus should be on improving the delivery of health services, not more expensive reorganisation."