Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on a post on the Conservative website, reflecting unease from Tory ministers on the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill said:

"We already know that the Prime Minister isn't listening to doctors and nurses. But it's a shock to find out that even senior members of his own Cabinet have to take to a Conservative website to get through to him about the damage he is doing to the NHS.

"It couldn't be clearer: this is an out-of-touch Prime Minister who is putting his political pride before the best interests of the NHS.

"Only this week, he insisted he will try to ram a Bill through parliament which no-one wants and which will do irreparable harm to our health service.

"David Cameron promised to protect the NHS but every day he digs in behind his Bill he damages it further. He is out of touch with the people of Britain. He is betraying the NHS. He must drop this Bill.”