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02/11/2010
BMA Highlights Health Inequalities
Commenting today on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on health inequalities in England, Dr Richard Vautrey, Deputy Chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) GPs Committee, said: "Like the Public Accounts Committee, the BMA is very concerned that the gap between the rich and poor in this country continues to widen.
"Although GPs have day to day contact with patients and are in a unique position to see first hand what needs to be done to improve the health outcomes of disadvantaged groups in society, other doctors and health professionals also have an important role to play.
"Research has shown that the 2004 GP contract has made significant headway in narrowing the gap in the provision of healthcare between deprived and affluent areas through the quality and outcomes framework, large parts of which focus on long-term conditions that are more common in deprived communities.
"Treatment is now standardised so that all patients, no matter where they live, receive the same high-quality care.
"We also need to ensure we have enough GPs working in our deprived communities by improved centralised workforce planning. This would be another way to address health inequalities in deprived areas."
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of BMA Science and Ethics, added that the government could take action now on one of the leading causes of health inequalities.
She said: "Smoking has been identified as the single biggest cause of inequality in death rates between rich and poor. The government could show its commitment to reducing health inequalities by implementing the 2009 Health Act – this legislation would end displays of tobacco in shops and also the sale of tobacco from vending machines. These are key interventions that would help people quit and also prevent young people and children starting to smoke in the first place.” "
(BMcN)
"Although GPs have day to day contact with patients and are in a unique position to see first hand what needs to be done to improve the health outcomes of disadvantaged groups in society, other doctors and health professionals also have an important role to play.
"Research has shown that the 2004 GP contract has made significant headway in narrowing the gap in the provision of healthcare between deprived and affluent areas through the quality and outcomes framework, large parts of which focus on long-term conditions that are more common in deprived communities.
"Treatment is now standardised so that all patients, no matter where they live, receive the same high-quality care.
"We also need to ensure we have enough GPs working in our deprived communities by improved centralised workforce planning. This would be another way to address health inequalities in deprived areas."
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of BMA Science and Ethics, added that the government could take action now on one of the leading causes of health inequalities.
She said: "Smoking has been identified as the single biggest cause of inequality in death rates between rich and poor. The government could show its commitment to reducing health inequalities by implementing the 2009 Health Act – this legislation would end displays of tobacco in shops and also the sale of tobacco from vending machines. These are key interventions that would help people quit and also prevent young people and children starting to smoke in the first place.” "
(BMcN)
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