Following the launch of Lord Darzi’s report, the British Medical Association (BMA) has called on ministers to talk to patients and doctors about key issues such as GP access and infection control.
Dr Richard Vautrey, Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s GPs’ Committee, comments: “The best way to develop a first-class NHS is to sit down with patients and representatives of the BMA to decide how to tailor services to meet their needs.
“We have expressed a willingness to do this on many occasions and we hope the government will now sit down and discuss their concerns with us.
“It is important to remember that one size does not fit all when you are talking about healthcare. There needs to be local implementation of policies to suit local health needs.
“We are concerned that polyclinics could threaten patient care because they may centralise healthcare and take patients away from the personal service they receive from their family doctors. There are many practical and resource issues to be resolved and the BMA is anxious that we start productive discussions as soon as possible.”
Dr Jonathan Fielden, Chairman of the BMA Consultant’s Committee, added: “For too long, finance has been the sole driver. This review must establish quality patient care as our main goal.
“In the run up to its 60th anniversary we should secure the founding principles of the NHS and ensure that staff, patients and the public are fully engaged in playing their part in making the NHS the world-class health service our country needs.”
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