Menu
09/12/2004
Patients can trust their doctors, says BMA
Patients can and do still trust their doctors, says the British Medical Association (BMA) on the day the fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry is published.
The BMA said cumulative changes to the way doctors work, introduced since the conviction of Harold Shipman, justified the retention of professionally led regulation.
The Chairman of the BMA, James Johnson, said: "Even in the immediate aftermath of Shipman's trial, when everyone in the country was aware of the horrors he inflicted, a MORI poll showed people trusted their doctors more than any other profession. No one is complacent, we recognise that the medical profession has to demonstrate that it deserves that trust.
"The climate in the profession has changed since Shipman. The General Medical Council (GMC) has re-formed and tightened up the way it handles complaints against doctors. GPs are even more careful with recording their use of controlled drugs and when signing death and cremation certificates, and health professionals are aware they must question what colleagues do and the way they do it."
On the Shipman Inquiry proposals to make further changes to the GMC, James Johnson said: "The newest changes to the procedures are only a month old. They should be given time to demonstrate they work effectively and fairly to protect patients before further fundamental changes are considered.
"The BMA will wish to consider Dame Janet's proposals very carefully."
Dr Hamish Meldrum, who represents the UK's family doctors as chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, said: "This is a huge report with a great many recommendations with implications for GPs and primary care trusts.
"We will work with the government to discuss these proposals but in doing so must be conscious of the need for a proportionate response. We must not impose further excessive layers of bureaucracy on the profession at the expense of the face to face time in consultations that our patients value."
In the UK, only the GMC, the body responsible for maintaining the register of all doctors licensed to practise, has the power to strike a doctor’s name from the medical register, suspend a doctor from practice or impose conditions on their registration.
The means to exercise these powers is via Fitness To Practice (FTP) Procedures, which the report described as the "'teeth' by which all other monitoring processes can ultimately be enforced".
The fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry, chaired by Dame Janet Smith, examined how the GMC has operated its FTP procedures from the 1970s and the revised procedures recently put into operation.
The report has put forward many recommendations to government, which will comment early next year.
(SP)
The BMA said cumulative changes to the way doctors work, introduced since the conviction of Harold Shipman, justified the retention of professionally led regulation.
The Chairman of the BMA, James Johnson, said: "Even in the immediate aftermath of Shipman's trial, when everyone in the country was aware of the horrors he inflicted, a MORI poll showed people trusted their doctors more than any other profession. No one is complacent, we recognise that the medical profession has to demonstrate that it deserves that trust.
"The climate in the profession has changed since Shipman. The General Medical Council (GMC) has re-formed and tightened up the way it handles complaints against doctors. GPs are even more careful with recording their use of controlled drugs and when signing death and cremation certificates, and health professionals are aware they must question what colleagues do and the way they do it."
On the Shipman Inquiry proposals to make further changes to the GMC, James Johnson said: "The newest changes to the procedures are only a month old. They should be given time to demonstrate they work effectively and fairly to protect patients before further fundamental changes are considered.
"The BMA will wish to consider Dame Janet's proposals very carefully."
Dr Hamish Meldrum, who represents the UK's family doctors as chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, said: "This is a huge report with a great many recommendations with implications for GPs and primary care trusts.
"We will work with the government to discuss these proposals but in doing so must be conscious of the need for a proportionate response. We must not impose further excessive layers of bureaucracy on the profession at the expense of the face to face time in consultations that our patients value."
In the UK, only the GMC, the body responsible for maintaining the register of all doctors licensed to practise, has the power to strike a doctor’s name from the medical register, suspend a doctor from practice or impose conditions on their registration.
The means to exercise these powers is via Fitness To Practice (FTP) Procedures, which the report described as the "'teeth' by which all other monitoring processes can ultimately be enforced".
The fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry, chaired by Dame Janet Smith, examined how the GMC has operated its FTP procedures from the 1970s and the revised procedures recently put into operation.
The report has put forward many recommendations to government, which will comment early next year.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 January 2005
Latest report pushes 'likely' Shipman victim toll to 250
The sixth report into the murders committed by former GP Harold Shipman has revealed that he murdered at least three patients during his years as a junior doctor, bringing the total toll to a possible 250.
Latest report pushes 'likely' Shipman victim toll to 250
The sixth report into the murders committed by former GP Harold Shipman has revealed that he murdered at least three patients during his years as a junior doctor, bringing the total toll to a possible 250.
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
12 September 2003
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
03 August 2009
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
30 July 2003
Overworked junior doctors could seek legal action, says BMA
Three out of four hospitals are risking legal action because they have failed to meet a deadline on junior doctors' hours, the BMA warned today. A BMA survey earlier this month showed that over half of senior house officers and registrars are still working above the 56-hour limit, and almost a quarter are working over 70 hours a week.
Overworked junior doctors could seek legal action, says BMA
Three out of four hospitals are risking legal action because they have failed to meet a deadline on junior doctors' hours, the BMA warned today. A BMA survey earlier this month showed that over half of senior house officers and registrars are still working above the 56-hour limit, and almost a quarter are working over 70 hours a week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
