The Health Bill which would hand billions of pounds to GPs to commission services should be scrapped entirely, a Bradford MP has said.

Bradford East Lib Dem MP David Ward said while he welcomed local authorities being more involved in dealing with public health, it was best to start over with a new Health Bill.

The Bill has been surrounded in controversy with health professionals expressing great concern over Andrew Lansley’s proposed NHS reforms.

The Health and Social Care Bill will hand powers to GPs to commission services in their area once Primary Care Trusts have been abolished.

Critics fear it will lead to privatisation of the NHS by the back door.

Mr Ward said: “This was not part of the coalition agreement and since the coalition has been formed things have been going at such a pace and I think it is too hasty in too many areas.

“We have to deal with a massive deficit and getting the country back on track and it is foolish for Andrew Lansley and Education Secretary Michael Gove to bring forward massive reforms of the health and education systems.

“There is very strong opposition to this locally and I voted against the proposals at the recent Lib Dem spring conference. There is part of the Bill I am pleased with and that is increased involvement of local authorities in managing public health but the best thing is to scrap the entire Bill and start again.”

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