The Future Forum has provided a number of positive steps in the right direction. It is right to say that the reforms are going to be a massive leadership challenge and local leaders will need to be supported both in making the changes specified in the reforms and in making them work. But a lot needs to be done to turn aspirations into action."

On public health, Jo Webber said:

"The NHS needs to focus more on prevention both to do better for patients and to live within its means in the long term. Healthcare professionals can play a big role in encouraging healthier lifestyles through their day-to-day contacts with patients. They need to think about preventing the next health problem as well as dealing with the illness that is in front of them.

"The policy of 'making every contact count' has been talked about for some time. To finally make this real for patients, it will be critical to engage with clinicians more successfully than has been done in the past. It will also be important to make sure that local messages on healthy living are delivered in a consistent way to avoid confusing patients unnecessarily."

On integration, Jo Webber said:

"There is wide consensus that integrating care is good for patients and offers more efficient care. But people have been talking about this for a long time. We need to be honest that, so far, integration has only been successful as a result of the efforts of unusually determined local leaders who have been prepared to take a lot of risks and swim against the tide.

"If we are to make integration the norm we need to be realistic that big issues need to be tackled so that what was previously extraordinary becomes the norm."

Notes to Editors

The NHS Confederation is the only body to bring together the full range of organisations that make up the modern NHS. We are an independent membership organisation that represents all types of providers and commissioners of NHS services in England. We also represent trusts and health care boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact Francesca Reville 020 7074 3312 or Niall Smith 020 7074 3304. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.