<p><br /> In his first speech in the post Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has urged NHS workers to listen to patients instead of government.<br /> </p><p><br /> He also promised to cut red tape to free resources for cancer care and other frontline services.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I don't want the whole of the NHS to wait to hear what I have to say," he said in a speech in London.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I want the service to listen to patients, to take responsibility. To realise how much patients know about their need, especially for those living with long-term conditions. We will empower patients as well as health professionals. We will disempower the hierarchy and bureaucracy."<br /> </p><p><br /> In his speech, at a health centre in Bromley-by-Bow, he defended proposals to impose fines on hospitals if patients are readmitted as an emergency within 30 days of being discharged.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Lansley said the move â" where hospitals will be paid for initial treatment but not paid again if a patient is brought back with a related problem â" would result in a "much better system". Hospitals would be responsible for ensuring that discharged patients are properly cared for in their home.<br /> </p>
