Andrew Lansley pledges to put NHS patients first during visit to Tower Hamlets

THE new health secretary pledged to put patients at the heart of the NHS when he visited the East End this week. In his first speech since taking up his post in the coalition government, Andrew Lansley spoke of his plans for the NHS to an audience of

THE new health secretary pledged to put patients at the "heart" of the NHS when he visited the East End this week.

In his first speech since taking up his post in the coalition government, Andrew Lansley spoke of his plans for the NHS to an audience of patients and health bosses at the Bromley-by-Bow Centre.

He laid out proposals that included giving patients the chance to give feedback on their care and scrapping a "target-centred and bureaucratic system".

And he also outlined his plan to financially penalise hospitals if a patient has to be readmitted for emergency treatment within 30 days of being discharged.

Mr Lansley's visit to the centre in St Leonard's Street on Tuesday marked his first official visit as health secretary.

And he met with the centre's leading GP Sam Everington and Chief Executive of East London and City NHS Alliance Alwen Williams, before delivering a speech at the event organised by the Patients Association and National Voices.

In describing his first priority to "put patients at the heart of all that we do", he praised the Bromley-by-Bow Centre which offers 'holistic' care to residents by helping them to improve their health as well as learn new skills.

He said: "Sam Everington and I have several times discussed what you do here.

"And it's great to see how you bring together all aspects of health, wellbeing and community in one place.

"Responding to patients and the public is at the heart of what you do at the Bromley-by-Bow Centre. I applaud everything that you do here.