Your views on changes to NHS commissioning powers

  • Published
Hospital doctorImage source, Reuters

Doctors want big changes to the government's plans for the NHS in England.

The Royal College of GPs is worried that giving more NHS work to private companies and voluntary groups will damage the health service.

Ministers have promised to listen to their concerns.

The shake-up will give GPs more commissioning powers.

It doesn't mean people will have to start paying for treatment, but patients might be sent somewhere other than an NHS hospital.

Newsbeat has been to Reading to find out what the NHS has been like for you.

Daniel Williams, 19

Daniel Williams, 19Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Daniel is waiting for an operation to shave some bone from his foot.

"It's been causing me problems for a good couple of years. I've had all my treatment through the NHS and everything's been pretty impressive.

"There's quite a long waiting list for an operation. If these changes meant I could be seen faster that would be a positive, absolutely.

"But I've got no qualms with the NHS. It's certainly giving me the best treatment I could ever get."

Elliott White, 22

Elliott White, 22Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Elliott's mum has been in and out of hospital recently. He's backing the plans because he's not impressed with the NHS.

"It needs changes and it definitely needs improvements. It feels like the NHS is for the poor people while private health care is for rich people.

"They get treated more nicely.

"Anyone would rather go private because the NHS is just shabby isn't it?

Emma Harper, 20

Emma Harper, 20Image source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Emma says she had a good experience with the NHS.

"I had a lump on my back and it took two weeks to get an ultrasound but when I got there they saw me half an hour early. The guy was really lovely and it was fine.

"We're lucky just to have a health system that's free and we should be glad to have that."

Emma's not worried about the changes: "Why not? If you're going to get the best care you may as well travel to where you know it's going to be done well and done quickly."

More on this story

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.