Two Wirral MPs are asking the government to halt plans for healthcare reform while the country continues to work through the coronavirus pandemic.

A group of 27 MPs and Lords have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on him to pause the government’s planned reorganisation of the NHS and social care until after all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and to then carry out a full public consultation so that patients, NHS staff, care workers and unpaid carers can have their say.

The letter has been organised by Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood and has also been signed by Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley.

It follows the publication of the government’s white paper Integration and Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all and comes before the government is expected to announce plans for a related bill in next month’s Queens Speech.

Margaret Greenwood MP said: “It is a matter of extreme concern that the government is planning a major reorganisation of the NHS and social care while we are in the middle of a pandemic and public health crisis and when there is a huge backlog in the NHS.

“The proposals, if implemented, would have profound implications for patients, NHS staff, care workers and unpaid carers across England.

“The government should pause the whole process until all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and then set out its plans clearly at a time when people are able to meet, talk and discuss their implications.

“There must be a widespread consultation with the public so that so that patients, NHS staff, care workers and unpaid carers can have their say."

Among the concerns highlighted in the letter are that the government’s proposals would:

  • create the potential for conflicts for interest by opening up the opportunity for private companies to have a say in what health and social care services are provided in an area
  • embed a postcode lottery, with the health and social care services that people can access varying depending on where they live
  • bring uncertainty to the future of the NHS workforce
  • leave the issue of access to and funding of social care unaddressed yet again

The MPs and Lords warn that the white paper does not set out clearly how budgets are going to be allocated to local Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and asks if NHS and social care providers will find themselves competing for resources at local level.

The politicians have also hit out at the timing of the proposals and argue that, with more than 4.5 million people in England waiting for hospital treatment, and with NHS and care staff exhausted, this is no time to carry out a major reorganisation of the NHS.