We are now hearing from both sides of the political fence discussion about making the NHS more "independent". The Director of Commissioning at the Department of Health, Duncan Selbie, is saying that after 2008 the DoH will have just two focuses: Quality and Safety and Improving the Patient experience. At the same time PCT Professional Executive Committees are being reconfigured into Clinical Executives, but will they carry anymore commissioning weight, or have any real freedoms? Meanwhile [already] Independent Treatment Centres are still being imposed on areas that don't want them and a new Super-Regulator looms with super-powers to match.
The Conservatives talk about removing politicians from the day to day running of the NHS, but what would this look like? It's already been said by a contributor to this site that  NHS control should be based city or county based in line with the needs of local populations. What do you think?

We would like to hear from you -
What works well now and should remain as foundations for the future?
What should greater freedom for the NHS look like?
How do you ensure accountability while at the same time respecting professional expertise?
What should an NHS Independence Bill include?
What structural changes are needed?

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