David Cameron and Nick Clegg defend NHS shake up

David Cameron today promised doctors and nurses a "genuine chance" to change the Government's NHS shake-up.

The Prime Minister vowed to re-write parts of the plans if health professionals come forward with suggestions.

The offer came as Mr Cameron stepped in to launch a two-month listening exercise designed to reassure critics of the overhaul with an admission there were "big questions" about it. But he made clear that sweeping changes were needed to safeguard the NHS from rising costs and an ageing population. On Monday, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced the Government would use a "pause" in the parliamentary timetable to listen to "genuine" concerns about the Health and Social Care Bill.

There have been fears about the speed and scale of proposals to put GPs in charge of commissioning services as well as concerns about increased competition leading to privatisation.

Labour hasdismissed the consultation as a "PR stunt". An "NHS future forum" chaired by Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, will travel the country speaking to patients and professionals to seek improvements.