A vote on foundation hospitals is due next week

The unions fear plans for so-called foundation hospitals will create a two-tier health service.

But such hospitals remain at the forefront of Prime Minister Tony Blair's plans to reform public services.

Unions will put pressure on Labour MPs and their constituency parties on Thursday to oppose the changes, including sending a letter to every Labour backbencher.

It will call on them to rebel against the government in the key vote on foundation hospitals in the Commons next Wednesday.

The government should not rely on the Conservative party to get its foundation hospitals legislation through Shadow health secretary Liam Fox Q&A: Foundation Hospitals

Ahead of the vote, more than 130 Labour MPs have already signed a Commons motion (EDM) opposing the move.

Dave Prentis, leader of Britain's biggest health union Unison, said the unions would also write to the constituency parties of all Labour MPs.

An emergency meeting of the health unions will be held at TUC headquarters on Friday to discuss plans to fight the proposals, which would give more than 30 hospitals the freedom to raise private cash on the open market.

Mr Blair wants to give selected hospitals greater financial independence and more freedom to run their affairs.

He has been attempting this week to win over more the Labour MPs who oppose the scheme insisting foundation hospitals are not elitist.

Competition

He told a meeting of the parliamentary labour party on Wednesday resources for public services had to be matched by reform.

But critics - including many Labour MPs - say foundation hospitals would set hospital against hospital.

The prime minister seems to have hoped the Conservatives would automatically back his plans.

But senior Tories have made it clear they may abstain.

Shadow health secretary Liam Fox said the Tories supported the principle of foundation hospitals, but added: "The government should not rely on the Conservative party to get its foundation hospitals legislation through."

This in turn could mean the government could face defeat in the Commons vote.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to fight the Bill, with health spokesman Dr Evan Harris saying they are "not the right way to give real power to local people over their NHS".

Health Secretary Alan Milburn has conceded the plan for foundation hospitals was "very, very controversial" but it remained an important part of public service reform.