What the papers say: Health bill impact and Cameron's betrayal
There are two main stories in today's papers. The first is Andrew Lansley's heath bill, which promises to radically shake-up the NHS. The Guardian, Telegraph and Independent all examine the implications of the bill. The Guardian writes that the reforms could create a postcode lottery for services and see hospitals chasing private patients. The Independent's Oliver Wright examines the bill's "ideology, finances and impact", while the Telegraph says David Cameron has been accused of arrogance over NHS reforms.The Daily Mail says the reforms will cost 24,500 jobs, but that "seven in ten pen pushers will keep their jobs".Despite gaining a huge chunk of the NHS budget and responsibility for commissioning, it seems the Government doesn't trust GPs when it comes to ordering stocks of flu vaccine, according to the Telegraph.
The second major theme of the papers is the plight of Riven Vincent, mother of six-year old daughter Celyn, who has severe quadriplegic palsy and epilepsy. Ms Vincent met the PM in the run-up to the election, when he promised not to cut services. The Independent writes of the "PM's broken promise forcing my daughter into care", the Telegraph covers Mr Cameron's concern over the plight of Celyn. The Guardian says that Ms Vincent has written to the PM saying she can no longer cope. The Mail talks of Mr Cameron's betrayal.In other health news, the Daily Mail reports that a pill to fight skin cancer is only a year away. The Telegraph also covers this story.The Mail also reports that military techniques could improve NHS trauma treatment. The Guardian and Independent also cover this story.The Independent writes that MSD, the manufacturer of contraceptive drugs Cerazette, Marvelon and Mercilon has been forced to apologise over stock shortages as reported originally by C+D in November.