Contrary to what the government might like us to believe, and also contrary to what the Department of Health might think General Practitioners are not the only doctors working and living in England.
This quote from the DH follows the exceptional meeting of the British Medical Association (BMA) today:
We are disappointed the BMA has decided to take this step, including now opposing elements of the Bill they previously supported, rather than work constructively with us to improve services for patients. The BMA’s own survey shows their position is not representative of many of their members, who are keen to be involved in our proposals. The reality is over 5,000 GP practices, covering two-thirds of the country, have already signed up and have started to implement plans to give patients better care.
I have a few things to say about the comment – firstly, when was it the job of the DH to comment about policy that isn’t actually law yet? Secondly it suggests that all doctors are GPs and that the BMA leadership has had the support of their membership in agreeing to the policy change. My understanding (and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong) is that it is because the rank and file membership of the BMA did not actually agree with the stance of the leadership that today’s meeting was held.
But of course the Bill has been published and it is progressing through parliament. No doubt this and other criticism might lead to a few tweaks of the finer details (plus a few more major changes) but essentially the GPs of England are to be the commissioners of health services and no extraordinary BMA meeting will change that.
It is my belief that even if Andrew Lansley was to be told that this policy would result in half the doctors in England resigning and a catastrophic deterioration in health outcomes he would not change his mind and alter the Bill significantly. Bloody mindedness prevails and we are on a collision course for people to line their pockets, for people to set up their own little businesses and for the dismantling of the NHS as we know it.
What is clear is that none of the health unions in this country can make a blind bit of difference to this mess at this stage; the titanic is already approaching the iceberg and those on board can only hope for a safe trip in the lifeboat to shore!
Comments on: "Too Little, Too Late!" (4)
There you have it – Andrew Lansley is a Cameron duffy. The Conservatives have never liked the NHS (the Tory politicians that is), the general Conservative voting person tends to be in favour of the NHS; those who could afford private did so or combined both the social and the private. Lansley is like all the Cam boys, a muddler and a fuddler. That is their nature. Born and bred duffers. In the genes as my mother used to say.
There will be tears for ordinary folks, but to be fair the Labour (they really should change their now as they do not represent a labour movement of any sort – did they really ever?) Party were high on octane when they copied Lady T in diminishing the NHS at its base or etiology of being.
I have not read one piece of the NHS changes that make economic or ideological sense, and I’m a middle of the road libertarian.
As you say hang on to your life belts, you’ll buddy [not a spelling mistake
] well need them.
Tis me again. Thought you might like this post:
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/truth-behind-andrew-lansley-nhs-proposals/
As you can see as a middle-of-the-road libertarian I do read all sides of a story.
Hi there, great comments as usual. I don’t necessarily condone nor support all of the changes Labour brought to the health service, and I have been pretty critical of some of them over the years. However you always had the feeling that they were trying to make things better for people. I don’t get this feeling with the current bunch, nor do I think they actually thought this thing out or know what they are doing!
Trouble is the Dave & Nick Show are afraid to say “whoops” wrong idea or even “let’s see why people do not like it”. As you say, at least with Labour, and LibDems before the turn-coating, there was a feeling that they wanted to improve it for the better, not just casting it off into space with the private space shuttle eating up the reserve fuel. I’m feeling metaphorical here today.
They have not looked at the cause of costs through demand. We are either a very unhealthy lot or we are a load of hypochondriacs, or there are too many of us for the service provision the way it is.
As a mid-libertarian I would welcome freedom of choice, which GP to register with, which hospital to ‘visit’, but I am also realistic in that choice cost and availability are huge factors. With only cost being taken on board by this Government. Realism went out of the window years ago – even Nu-Labour lost the plot.
Is there any hope. I’m working on it