Restructure alone will not be enough - NHS Confed

Mike Farrar, chief executive at the NHS Confederation, said there was a big opportunity to improve care and the reforms needed to take advantage of the clinical expertise of commissioning organisations.

He said: "People in the NHS really want the new system to be a success, but it can't be set up to fail. New structures alone won't enable us to tackle these challenges, and we should not see them as a silver bullet. Those doing the day job face major pressures in trying to keep the NHS's head above water, while focusing on making the new world work."

The warning comes amid unprecedented financial challenges for the NHS as it also tries to rebuild public confidence following the failings in care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Farrar said people were rightly concerned about reports of poor standards of dignity and care and a fully accountable new system was crucial.

He said: "Our colleagues in local government are also facing tight pressures on social care services. The Government has set out its plans to help fund social care in the future, but this is only half the solution. The system is creaking under the pressure in the short term.

"We share the problem and we must share the solutions. We need to address this issue now and transform models of care. Otherwise we run the risk that people will continue to find themselves in a crisis before they get the care and support they require and rightly deserve."