According to a Labour member interpretation of the NHS risk register, we should be worried about the Health Bill. Well I have had a look at this leaked NHS London risk register. Click NHS London Risk Assessment (Annex A Corporate Risk Assurance Framework) and also had it reviewed by an independent economist and we both came to the same conclusion.

The first column is labelled as risk, the second as mitigating control (actions) and the third as assurances. In other words this table lists possible risks, then existing and planned mitigation of risks. In other words, there are assurances of risk mitigation in place or will be in place to offset any risks from restructuring NHS London.

Now let us see what an independent economist interpreted the table as:

'The purpose of a risk register is to identify all the things that could go worng (as opposed to things you expect to go wrong). Once you have identified things that could go wrong, it enables you to put in place mechanisms for dealing with them. If you do this properly the risk is much reduced.'

So both a GP and economist have reached the same conclusion. What is the big deal? So NHS London did a risk asssessment and made provisions for anything that could go wrong. Sensible and logical.

PRIVATISATION AND THE HEALTH BILL. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Another piece of scaremongery with the Health Bill is that it will bring about the end of the NHS and introduce privatisation. Hello???? GPs and community pharmacists are private independent contractors paid by the NHS to provide and deliver a service. They are self employed. They do not work for the NHS; they are contracted by the NHS. Are we then asking for GPs to be nationalised? Would GPs consent to be paid the same NHS hospital payscale as NHS consultant employees? I doubt it. The average pay of a salaried GP is £55,000 and the average pay of a GP partner is upwards of £100,000. We could ask all GPs to be nationalised and be NHS employees at a pay scale of say £90,000?

No of course they would not consent to be state employees. They are independent providers who can set their own prices.

Do we like our high street shops? Specsavers offers free NHS diabetic retinal screening, eye exams, hearing tests and digital hearing aids. Do NHS patients have to pay? Nope. It's free. The patient is a winner. Is this private care? Well it isn't sitting for hours in a NHS outpatient clinic but it is still providing you with the same free service but faster and more convenient for you. RECEIVE FREE hearing tests and hearing aids AT SPECSAVERS.

Did you know you can use NHS Choose and Book and be seen and TREATED AT A PRIVATE HOSPITAL FOR FREE as a NHS patient? They have 3 theatres, endoscopy suite, outpatient clinics with NHS/private consultants, ensuite rooms, etc. Click NHS patients seen at BMI Blackhealth Private Hospital.

To find out more about NHS Choose & Book programme, please speak to your GP or contact the NHS Telephone Appointments Line on 0845 608 8888 with your Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN), which is given to you by your GP.

NHS Choose & Book Clinics at BMI Blackheath Private Hospital

Would you like to have your PHYSIO FOR FREE AT AN AWARD WINNING PRIVATE SPORTS CENTRE? Click Crystal Palace Physio and Sports Injury Centre. They have slots for NHS patients alongside their private clients and it is FREE PHYSIO to you the NHS patient.

So what is happening? Well the CCGs get to select which provider can offer a more efficient service. It is all about freedom of patient choice! Choice of NHS or private and it is still FREE! And why can we do this, because private providers can charge NHS patients the marginal cost rather than the average cost and their tariff works out cheaper than that of some local NHS trusts who are more expensive.