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19/09/2008
BMA Steps Up 'Support Your Surgery' Campaign
A top UK medical professionals' body is seeking further help from patients in its campaign to preserve the role of traditional doctors' surgeries.
The BMA has today sent a new poster and leaflet to all GP practices across England urging patients to take action against plans to impose GP-led health centres and polyclinics in every health region.
The move is part of the BMA's 'Support Your Surgery' campaign.
The poster, which also says thank-you to the people who signed a BMA petition against the so-called commercialisation of primary care, advises patients how to contact those who can influence the decision-making process in their area.
Dr Laurence Buckman, Chairman of the BMA's GP Committee, said: "We are very grateful to the 1.3 million patients who have shown their support for NHS general practice.
"However, the threat is still there and although the Government has told all Primary Care Trusts they must have a new polyclinic or GP-led health centre, ultimately the decisions about where and how these will be run will be made locally.
"The patient voice should be central to this entire process and yet far too often it is being ignored. In the majority of places there hasn't been any consultation whatsoever and these plans are being rushed through at break-neck speed with no thought for their long-term impact.
"We want all patients to find out what’s going on and make sure their voices are heard as these changes will affect their local services," he said.
During the summer, the BMA handed in a petition to 10 Downing Street - signed by 1.3 million people - which said they continued to support existing NHS GP surgeries and urged a halt to plans to promote the use of commercial companies in general practice because this risks destabilising local surgeries and threatens the comprehensive, high quality care we receive from GPs.
The petition also said they "don't want public funding to move from GP practices to commercial companies who are accountable primarily to shareholders rather than patients" and they "want to be treated by GPs who see us as patients, not as customers".
See: www.supportyoursurgery.org.uk/cerffprager.php
(BMcC)
The BMA has today sent a new poster and leaflet to all GP practices across England urging patients to take action against plans to impose GP-led health centres and polyclinics in every health region.
The move is part of the BMA's 'Support Your Surgery' campaign.
The poster, which also says thank-you to the people who signed a BMA petition against the so-called commercialisation of primary care, advises patients how to contact those who can influence the decision-making process in their area.
Dr Laurence Buckman, Chairman of the BMA's GP Committee, said: "We are very grateful to the 1.3 million patients who have shown their support for NHS general practice.
"However, the threat is still there and although the Government has told all Primary Care Trusts they must have a new polyclinic or GP-led health centre, ultimately the decisions about where and how these will be run will be made locally.
"The patient voice should be central to this entire process and yet far too often it is being ignored. In the majority of places there hasn't been any consultation whatsoever and these plans are being rushed through at break-neck speed with no thought for their long-term impact.
"We want all patients to find out what’s going on and make sure their voices are heard as these changes will affect their local services," he said.
During the summer, the BMA handed in a petition to 10 Downing Street - signed by 1.3 million people - which said they continued to support existing NHS GP surgeries and urged a halt to plans to promote the use of commercial companies in general practice because this risks destabilising local surgeries and threatens the comprehensive, high quality care we receive from GPs.
The petition also said they "don't want public funding to move from GP practices to commercial companies who are accountable primarily to shareholders rather than patients" and they "want to be treated by GPs who see us as patients, not as customers".
See: www.supportyoursurgery.org.uk/cerffprager.php
(BMcC)
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22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
02 June 2011
Health Bill Must Not Undermine Patients Trust, Says BMA
Launching guidance for shadow consortia on how to ensure transparency and probity, the British Medical Association (BMA) today said the government must remove performance-related bonuses for consortia from the health bill as it could undermine patient trust.
Health Bill Must Not Undermine Patients Trust, Says BMA
Launching guidance for shadow consortia on how to ensure transparency and probity, the British Medical Association (BMA) today said the government must remove performance-related bonuses for consortia from the health bill as it could undermine patient trust.
09 December 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.
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.
05 January 2009
Patients To Have Say On Improving GP Services
More than five million patients in England are being asked for their views on how to improve family doctor services in a new survey launched by the Government today. Results from the national survey will be used to drive changes to GP services and rewards for GPs who provide fast, convenient services.
Patients To Have Say On Improving GP Services
More than five million patients in England are being asked for their views on how to improve family doctor services in a new survey launched by the Government today. Results from the national survey will be used to drive changes to GP services and rewards for GPs who provide fast, convenient services.
15 May 2008
Report Reveals Shortage Of Specialised Consultants
A leading medical body has called on the Government to support its campaign for more consultant radiologists. The British Medical Association (BMA) warned today that a lack of consultants in England and Wales could mean have implications for the health service and has called upon the support of Health Secretry Alan Johnson.
Report Reveals Shortage Of Specialised Consultants
A leading medical body has called on the Government to support its campaign for more consultant radiologists. The British Medical Association (BMA) warned today that a lack of consultants in England and Wales could mean have implications for the health service and has called upon the support of Health Secretry Alan Johnson.
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