COST OF U-TURN ON PRIVATE SECTOR CENTRES IN NHS MUST BE REVEALED - LAMB

3.22.59pm GMT Thu 15th Nov 2007

Commenting on Government plans for private sector treatment centres in the NHS announced today, which include proposals to scrap some schemes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "This is yet more evidence of Government flip-flopping creating confusion in the health service."

"Despite years of reassuring us that private treatment centres will improve the NHS, the Prime Minister refuses to tell us whether he wants more or less of them. How much is this remarkable volte-face going to cost the NHS?"

"Public money will be used to pay compensation to these private clinics and taxpayers have a right to know how much this will be. The Government mustn't hide behind claims of commercial confidentiality."

"For years the Government has refused to give us details of the true cost to the NHS of entering into contracts with the private sector. This statement contains nothing but more confusion and lack of clarity."