BMA response to No 10 ‘health summit'

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

In response to today’s meeting between the Prime Minister, the Health Secretary and a selected group of health organisations to talk about NHS reforms and improved statistics on emergency hospital admissions, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council said: 

“Doctors and other clinicians are always looking for the opportunity to find better ways of helping patients get the care they need - if possible, closer to home. 

“It is encouraging that emergency hospital admissions fell last year, but one of our biggest concerns about the Health and Social Care Bill is that the increasing bureaucracy and focus on competition it brings will get in the way of this sort of progress. Clinical commissioning is a good concept and is already demonstrating success without the need for legislation. So we have to ask why put this at risk, especially at this time of huge financial pressure? 

“It is extremely disappointing that the government seems increasingly to be indulging in selective listening. The BMA represents nearly 150,000 doctors – in hospitals, community services and general practice. We want to find a way to make sure patient care continues to improve. If the government shares this objective, it has to recognise that NHS reform must have the support of these – and all other – health professionals.”