Jennifer Dixon, policy director, the King's Fund
"Many of the results from the citizens' summit sound sensible. What the health secretary should definitely not do is hoover up the results of this market research and design micro-policies from the centre to address them. Instead, she should ask herself, if all the citizens' suggestions are so obvious, then why on earth hasn't the NHS addressed them? The answer is surely not because the NHS has been historically underfunded. The answer is that the incentives in the NHS have not been strong enough for people at the front line to be motivated enough to respond. The heath secretary needs to address this more difficult conundrum."
Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA GPs' committee
"It's no surprise that, if you ask people if they would like their family doctor service open for longer, they will say yes. Patient surveys show how much people value the personal service and continuity of care GPs provide through their registered lists. However, there is a problem with access caused partly by a shortage of GPs and made worse by the government's target that has skewed the way appointments are made. We believe we can find solutions to this if the government's works with us. Nurses and nurse practitioners are already available in almost all GP practices to see patients."
Dr Beverly Malone, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing
"It's encouraging that such a cross-section of people participated in the event held in Birmingham - a sign of progress being achieved in terms of striving hard for genuine consultation. Although people want convenience and choice they also believe that the personal touch and continuity of care is important to their health and wellbeing. We particularly support the responses that want more promotion of healthy lives and preventing illness. It looks as if the public health message is, at last, being heard. Crucially, the wish to have access to community hospitals must be heard, because many of them are currently under threat of closure."
Sue Sharpe, chief executive of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
"People want more and quicker access to convenient, trusted community services. This matters more to them than choice, especially if exercising choice involves travelling and results in the best services being swamped. Community pharmacies are the most accessible primary care service. Pharmacists and their staff are trusted for their knowledge and advice. With a new NHS pharmacy service contract now in place they are extending the range of NHS patient services they provide. People want quick, reliable advice about staying healthy, and on issues like diet and smoking. If the government acts on the public's feedback, community pharmacy should be at the heart of the white paper."
Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society
"We are disappointed the consultation did not go further towards addressing fundamental issues which affect people with MS and other long-term conditions. High on the list are the lack of integrated health and social care services which can respond quickly to often fluctuating needs, and information to guide patients. Having said that, the scale of the call for local consultation is a clear message to the government that people should be more involved in setting the agenda for developing services. We are also encouraged to see strong support for the early involvement of nurses - we would like to see many more specialist nurses - and for more help for carers."
