THE Archbishop of York spoke against the Government’s controversial health reforms today as they were debated in the House of Lords.

Dr John Sentamu said he had received excellent treatment at three NHS teaching hospitals - St Thomas’s and University College in London, and York earlier this year for treatment to his rotator cuff around the shoulder.

He said the proposed reforms were not in the Government’s manifesto and cited the Archbishop of Canterbury’s concerns about the “remarkable speed” of radical, long-term policy changes.

The Government’s controversial bill cleared the Lords hurdle, after peers voted 330 to 262 against referring it to a special committee.

But Dr Sentamu said: “It was not in the manifesto. It will not do simply to repeat the statement that it was in the coalition agreement. Joe and Jane public did not vote on it. That is why there is anxiety in the nation and that is why there is a lot of worry about it. Therefore, the Government would be wise to persuade the public, the professionals and most of all the staff of the NHS that it is in their interest.

“The best way of doing that is to allow proper scrutiny of the areas that have caused the greatest anxiety.”

He said an amendment suggested by Lord Owen, to refer the bill to a special select committee, offered time for proper scrutiny, but that amendment was defeated. Health Minister Earl Howe had said it could be altered further to address concerns, but said delay could "prove fatal".

Dr Sentamu said he had his rotator cuff repaired and his uvula removed in York Hospital in August.