Among the reforms laid out in July's white paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, are plans to axe primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities, and hand commissioning power over to local GP-led groups.
Public health will come under council control, the funding for which will be ring-fenced. There will also be a requirement for councils to set up partnership groups with local health providers and commissioners, either through newly formed health and wellbeing boards or existing bodies like children's trusts.
"There is not a lot about children's services and how they fit into these reforms in the white paper," says Webber. "Under the new NHS arrangements, GPs will continue to be the gatekeeper for family health, but we know that many GPs do not have the experience or training in paediatrics. Are they really the best placed to have that role?"
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