The prime minister says NHS values will remain the same

Despite criticisms from unions for what they see as increasing privatisation, the prime minister said the NHS had to keep pace with a "changing world".

But he said the health service's values would remain the same despite greater involvement of the private sector and moving care away from hospitals.

Health experts said it was too early to judge whether his NHS policies were having a positive impact.

In an interview with the BBC, he said: "There is still an enormous amount to do."

There is no firm evidence as yet to show the reforms have led to a marked improvement in the nation's health and there are still important problems to be solved Niall Dickson, of the King's Fund

Referring to NHS building projects using private money and the drive to move care away from hospitals and into the community, he said: "It is all about values which remain the same, but a world which is changing and the way the NHS works being different."

He added: "It will carry on. There will be changes in the next few years. It is a constant amount of change because the world is changing."

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the King's Fund health think tank, said: "Under Tony Blair the government has made significant strides in reforming the health service with big reductions in waiting times and progress has been made on improving care in cancer, heart disease and mental health.

"This has been backed by the unprecedented levels of funding the government has ploughed into the health service in recent years and it deserves credit for having the courage to make this extra investment as the service had long been under-funded.