27.01.11
PM’s message to doctors over reforms
David Cameron sent a message directly to the country’s doctors in support of the Coalition Government’s NHS reforms, insisting they are “not a revolution”.
The Prime Minister issued the message to the 182,000 members of doctors.net.uk, attempting to separate the truth from ‘myths’ that have grown up around the reforms.
He said the NHS needs reform, that the pace of reform is necessary, that GPs will get the resources they need to outsource the administrative and managerial functions associated with commissioning, and that GPs will not be ‘forced’ to use the private sector.
He also said: “This is not a revolution. It’s evolution. GP-led commissioning, patient choice, payment-by-results, Foundation Trusts – they have all existed in one form or another over the past fifteen years.
“The NHS has always worked with others from the independent sector too, be it social enterprises, charities or private companies. All these changes drew on some simple logic – that clinicians, not managers or politicians, are in the best position to understand the needs of patients. Our plans simply build on those advances.”
The BMA has come out against many of the reforms, while supporting GP-led commissioning in principle, as have many other healthcare unions and professional bodies.
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