The Government's controversial plans to reform the NHS are to be delayed to allow more time for consultation, the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has said.

Mr Lansley told MPs there were "genuine concerns" with the proposals, which would see primary care trusts abolished and GPs handed responsibility for commissioning health services.

But he said the NHS needed to change although private providers would not be allowed to exploit the new system and "cherry-pick" the most profitable services - a criticism highlighted by opponents of the Health and Social Care Bill.

The Bill completed its committee stage last Thursday but the speed with which it had progressed through Parliament had caused concern among doctors, nurses and patients, Mr Lansley said.

He did not say how long the delay would last but said the Government would listen to concerns.

Mr Lansley told the Commons: "We recognise that this speed of progress has brought with it some substantive concerns. Some of those concerns are misplaced or based on misrepresentations but we recognise that some are genuine.

"We want to continue to listen to, engage with and learn from experts, patients and frontline staff within the NHS and beyond and to respond accordingly.

"I can therefore tell the House that we propose to take the opportunity to take a natural break in the passage of the Bill - to pause, to listen and to engage with all those who want the NHS to succeed and to subsequently bring forward amendments to improve the plans further in the normal way."

Source: Ilkeston Advertiser