Menu
23/06/2014
BMA Demands Govt Faces Up To NHS Damage
The Britiah Medical Association (BMA) has demanded the government faces up to the damage it has done to the NHS, and work with doctors to make it better.
In his address to the BMA annual representative meeting in Harrogate, BMA council chair Mark Porter accused the government of ‘not getting it’ on the NHS.However, he told ministers it wasn't too late to change.
Dr Porter said the government had broken a promise to end top-down reorganisation of the NHS.
He said: "Nobody's perfect, we've all made the odd promise we couldn't keep. But has a promise to the NHS ever been quite so needlessly, recklessly broken as that promise not to impose change from the top?"
Dr Porter said that the Health and Social Care Act reorganisation had cost at least £1.6bn, dragged the NHS further from its founding vision, and contributed to a bumper year for the multinationals 'who find the curative so lucrative'.
He highlighted the 'bizarre market culture' created despite reassurances from regulators, which had led to some commissioners going to extraordinary lengths to meet the government’s competition agenda.
This included clinical commissioning groups in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes that had spent more than £3m asking 500 providers – including several dissolved NHS trusts and clinics around the world – for expressions of interest in running local services.
Although most of the Health and Social Care Act did not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there were threats to health services across the UK, according to Dr Porter.
Dr Porter said that doctors in every branch of practice were under pressure, and that a government obsession with cuts risked undermining contract negotiations for consultants in England and Northern Ireland, and for junior doctors across the UK.
(CVS/CD)
In his address to the BMA annual representative meeting in Harrogate, BMA council chair Mark Porter accused the government of ‘not getting it’ on the NHS.However, he told ministers it wasn't too late to change.
Dr Porter said the government had broken a promise to end top-down reorganisation of the NHS.
He said: "Nobody's perfect, we've all made the odd promise we couldn't keep. But has a promise to the NHS ever been quite so needlessly, recklessly broken as that promise not to impose change from the top?"
Dr Porter said that the Health and Social Care Act reorganisation had cost at least £1.6bn, dragged the NHS further from its founding vision, and contributed to a bumper year for the multinationals 'who find the curative so lucrative'.
He highlighted the 'bizarre market culture' created despite reassurances from regulators, which had led to some commissioners going to extraordinary lengths to meet the government’s competition agenda.
This included clinical commissioning groups in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes that had spent more than £3m asking 500 providers – including several dissolved NHS trusts and clinics around the world – for expressions of interest in running local services.
Although most of the Health and Social Care Act did not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there were threats to health services across the UK, according to Dr Porter.
Dr Porter said that doctors in every branch of practice were under pressure, and that a government obsession with cuts risked undermining contract negotiations for consultants in England and Northern Ireland, and for junior doctors across the UK.
(CVS/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
23 September 2004
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
24 March 2011
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
13 January 2011
BMA Rejects Pay Cut
The British Medical Associations (BMA) has rejected a proposal to suspend pay increments for all NHS staff in England. NHS staff are already subject to a two-year pay freeze, but under proposals from NHS Employers, are being asked to agree a further cut and forego their incremental pay increases.
BMA Rejects Pay Cut
The British Medical Associations (BMA) has rejected a proposal to suspend pay increments for all NHS staff in England. NHS staff are already subject to a two-year pay freeze, but under proposals from NHS Employers, are being asked to agree a further cut and forego their incremental pay increases.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
