By Ian Quinn
Exclusive: More than half of GPs have no confidence in health secretary Andrew Lansley, with plans to ramp up competition from the private sector his most unpopular policy, according to a Pulse survey.
Of 450 GPs who responded to the Pulse poll, 56% said they had ‘no confidence' in Mr Lansley, compared with 37% who had ‘some confidence' and just 7% who had ‘great confidence' in him.
Mr Lansley is facing a growing wave of opposition to the threat of privatisation, with a Special Representative Meeting of the BMA looming in less than two weeks where GP leaders are set to vote on a motion of no confidence in him.
Just 14% of GPs who responded to the poll said they supported the Government's plans for any willing provider and the NHS market, which are set to be ramped up in the coming months.
It compares with 46% of GPs who supported plans for GPs to hold budgets and commission services and 34% who supported the move to abolish PCTs.
Scrapping NICE's role in NHS rationing was supported by just 18% of GPs.
Dr Imogen Bloor, a GP in Islington, north London, was one of the GPs who declared she had no confidence in Mr Lansley.
‘I'm totally opposed to any willing provider and the NHS market,' she said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: 'Any willing provider policy has been in place since 2008 and is simply about allowing patients to choose from any provider that meets NHS quality standards and prices.
'It allows innovative and responsive services to grow, benefiting patients and providers alike.'
She added: 'The enthusiasm of GPs for our plans to modernise the NHS is clear by the GP pathfinder groups which have come forward voluntarily, covering two thirds of the population.'
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