MERSEYSIDE Labour MPs condemned the Government’s alleged U-turn on the NHS as a “con trick.”

They argued that concessions delivered after a 10-week review would still leave the region’s patients at the mercy of market forces.

Premier David Cameron agreed to slow down competition between NHS hospitals and the private sector and the plan to give GPs control of budgets. He and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley decided, following claims that the shake-up was a smokescreen for privatisation, that hospital doctors and nurses would be given a greater say.

Mr Cameron said the core principles of the NHS were “safe and secure for years to come”.

And he denied the consultation exercise was a “big PR stunt”.

But Labour insisted the concessions, following a report from the NHS Future Forum panel of experts, were largely bogus.

Wavertree MP Luciana Berger said: “It is not enough. No-one, including health professionals, is convinced that this will deliver the best patient care or that NHS hospitals will not have to compete with a private sector in pursuit of profit.”