While confusion appears to surround the future of health service restructuring nationally, here in Oxfordshire the man voted in to oversee the NHS reforms remains an optimistic voice.

General practitioners in the county were among the most enthusiastic across the country to embrace the Government’s vision and Dr Stephen Richards is keen to emphasise there are no significant obstacles to change here.

Despite the confusing messages coming from the Government, he believes we are still on course for a reformed, healthier, NHS to be up and running next year, beating the Government’s now-abandoned target of 2013. The initial delay to allow more consultation and then the changes announced this week appear to indicate a lack of clear strategy.

But Dr Richards said that while GPs would remain the key players, nurses and consultants are set to be included on the boards of new GP groups responsible for commissioning healthcare services.

Dr Richards said he felt that fears about increased competition had been tackled head on, with the Government making clear that it did not want to see private companies “cherry picking” NHS patients and business.

We sincerely hope that his optimism proves to be justified.