Changes made to the NHS reform

The government has planned amendments to the new NHS reforms as it aims to push the Health and Social Care Bill through Parliament.

Ministers are proposing to give patients a greater input in to their treatment whilst in hospital and will aim put "beyond doubt" the role of the secretary of state's responsibility to the health service.

Further amendments include giving the NHS Commissioning Board responsibility to support education and training of their staff as well as strengthening links between workforces.

Andrew Lansley, health secretary, said: "The principles of our modernisation plans, 'no decision about me, without me' for patients, clinical leadership with doctors and nurses leading discussions on services, a focus on results for patients and reducing bureaucracy, have always been at the core of the Bill."

Despite the changes a group of GPs have urged the government to abolish the reforms. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph they said that the plans would "derail and fragment" the NHS.