Michael Fabricant has welcomed the statement in the House made today (Monday 12th July) by Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary, that local GPs will be empowered to commission health care. "This is excellent news for Staffordshire patients" says Michael. "Prior to 1997, every GP Practice in Staffordshire was a GP Fundholder; doctors were empowered to decide which hospitals and what treatments would be best for their patients. But this system was then abolished by Labour and replaced by bureaucrats in the Primary Care Trusts.

"Clinicians should be making these judgements – not civil servants. I am delighted that this change is being made. On the whole, GPs were able to make sound judgements when they were Fundholders for the benefit of their patients. This marks a return to doctors making these decisions: and not overpaid civil servants."

In his Statement to the House of Commons, Andrew Lansley, said: "We will give General Practices, working together in local consortia, the responsibility for commissioning NHS services so that they are able to respond to the wishes and needs of their patients. This principle is vital bringing together the management of care with the management of resources. With commissioning support, GPs collectively will lead a bottom-up design of services.

"In addition, we will introduce more say for patients at every stage of their care extending the right to choose far beyond a choice of hospital. Patients will have choice over treatment options where clinically appropriate and the consultant-led team by whom they are treated".