Patient choice 'ends like it or lump it NHS'.

(From Yorkshire Post)

Minister rejects criticism of reforms Mike Waites PATIENTS are being given more choice over where they receive NHS treatment from a "menu" of foundation hospitals and private clinics published yesterday.

Non-emergency operations will be available from 32 foundation hospitals and 15 independent treatment centres, extending choice beyond that of at least four local hospitals which has been open to patients since January.

Health Minister Andy Burnham said the reforms - a major plank of the Government's third-term agenda - would end the "like it or lump it" service for NHS patients.

But Bernard Ribeiro, president of the …