A PENDLE peer has outlined why he has voted against the government’s controversial health bill – despite being part of the coalition which introduced it.

Liberal Democrats claim they have lobbied to dilute the most contentious aspects of the NHS reorganisation.

But Lord Tony Greaves, a leading Lib Dem, believes the changes have not gone far enough to prevent the ‘commercialisation’ of the health service.

In the House of Lords he said: “It seems to me that the safeguards which have been achieved are not sufficient.

“I think it is inevitable that this bill will lead to greater commercialisation. It will lead to a greater emphasis on competition rather than integration, and to a continuing incursion of private sector-based companies into the provision of NHS services.”

Lord Greaves is concerned that the shake-up, opposed by almost all of the major health unions, is happening when NHS trusts are facing serious financial challenges.

Speaking after the debate he urged doctors and politicians to make every effort to ensure that the new system worked in practice.

The peer has previously voiced fears about the funding of prospective new health centres in Colne, Great Harwood and Clitheroe.