COLCHESTER Lib Dem MP Bob Russell has spoken out against Health service reforms.

He hailed the NHS as a British success story and said he feared sweeping changes, which will put more power in the hands of GPs, were “privatisation by stealth.”

His stand again showed the MP’s unease with key policies of the coalition Government , of which his party is a part. Mr Russell voted against the Government over student fees.

He said: “It’s important doctors have a considerable input into the way the local NHS operates, but not run it on their own.

“There is also a real worry here of privatisation by stealth.I believe in the NHS and I cannot remember this country without the NHS. It has been a great British success story.

“Does it need to modernise and improve? Yes. But I don’t think any move towards privatisation is the answer.”

Under the Health and Social Care Bill, published yesterday, GPs will take over direct responsibility for handling the bulk of the national £100billion health budget, and buying and planning services in their area.

Primary care trusts, including NHS North East Essex, and regional bodies, including the East of England Strategic Health Authority, are to be phased out.

All hospitals will be freed from central control – although most already have some level of control. They will be accountable to a quango – the NHS Commissioning Board.

Colchester’s hospital trust is already well on the way to self-governance, having achieved foundation trust status in 2008. However it could come up against more competition with private firms for the services it provides.

Large swathes of public health, including smoking, currently the responsibility of NHS North East Essex, will be taken on by Essex County Council.

The service will be under the control of Mike Gogharty, who has been appointed the council’s first director of public health.

However, the council needs to close a £126million gap in its budget, leaving some worried about the future of services and jobs. On the ground, patients will notice very little difference, other than being able to get treatment wherever they want.

It means boundaries will be abolished and NHS patients will be able to get free treatment – public or private – wherever they want, at no extra cost to the NHS. They will also be able to pick their GP.

Someone who lives in Colchester or Tendring, but works elsewhere, could register with a GP near their work.