Tory MPs join calls for rethink of NHS shake-up

The Government's changes to the NHS were dealt a fresh blow today as Tory MPs joined calls for a re-think.

They said concerns from patient groups, professional bodies and experts should be listened to as the overhaul goes ahead. Ministers were told not to be "dogmatic" about the changes and were warned that opposition among coalition MPs is hardening.

It comes a day after the British Medical Association called for the shake-up - which will see more than 150 organisations abolished and 80 per cent of the NHS budget handed to GPs - to be scrapped.

An emergency meeting of the BMA said Health Secretary Andrew Lansley should withdraw the Health and Social Care Bill and "halt the proposed top-down reorganisation of the NHS".

Critics say the plans will let profit-driven firms run the NHS. MPs are debating the changes today after Labour tabled a motion attacking the "damaging market-based reorganisation".

An amendment has been put down by Tory GP-turned-MP Sarah Wollaston - backed by three other Conservatives and several Lib-Dems - vowing Parliament will listen to concerns from relevant groups and "work with them to achieve a strengthened NHS".

Clacton MP Douglas Carswell, one of the Tory backers, said he supported an overhaul, but added: "If there are issues people have I would be keen to see if reforms can be improved on. I do not think we should be dogmatic about it."

Lib-Dem delegates rejected the shake-up at the party's spring conference at the weekend.