Following commitments to abolish GP fundholding in 'The new NHS' white paper, PCGs replaced family health authorities (previously responsible for commissioning primary care).
NICE aimed to reduce variation of the availability and quality of NHS services: later changing its name to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and extending into public health.
The plan (a milestone for competition policy in the NHS) outlined significant health and care system reforms and responded to the 1999 Royal Commission's report on long-term care.
Labour focused on expanding choice for NHS patients, introducing the concept of 'foundation hospitals' for top performing trusts and several 'choice' pilots.