Mr Edwards has also been encouraged from what seems like a smooth start to payment by results - from 2003 some hospitals have been operating under thesystem for elective care as pilots.
The new payments system was used in 2004-05 for both elective and emergency admissions to foundation hospitals, a select group that have won more freedom to run their affairs.
The Conservatives would give GPs much more of a say by reviving the 1990s system of fund-holding in which many GP practices had their own budgets for elective care done by hospitals.