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NHS 'run like a supermarket war' NHS 'run like a supermarket war'
(about 2 hours later)
A doctors' leader has hit out at the use of the private sector and competition in the NHS in England. Doctors have urged England to follow Scotland's example in avoiding the use of the private sector and competition in the NHS.
British Medical Association chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said the health service in England was being run like a "shoddy supermarket war".British Medical Association chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said the health service in England was being run like a "shoddy supermarket war".
Addressing the BMA's annual conference, Dr Meldrum urged English ministers to look to the example of Scotland which has mainly eschewed the private sector. Doctors at the BMA's annual conference voted for the NHS in England to only use private firms as a last resort.
Officials said the private sector was only used when it could improve care.Officials said the private sector was only used when it could improve care.
I'm not saying everthing is perfect north of the border, but at least there seems to be some shared agenda - not a service run like a shoddy supermarket war Dr Hamish Meldrum I'm not saying everthing is perfect north of the border, but at least there seems to be some shared agenda - not a service run like a shoddy supermarket war Dr Hamish MeldrumBritish Medical Association
Ministers have tried to create an NHS market by using the private sector and encouraging hospitals to compete for patients. About one in 10 elective operations are now done by private providers.Ministers have tried to create an NHS market by using the private sector and encouraging hospitals to compete for patients. About one in 10 elective operations are now done by private providers.
Meanwhile, successive administrations in Scotland have preferred to use private health firms only as a last resort when the NHS cannot provide the treatment.Meanwhile, successive administrations in Scotland have preferred to use private health firms only as a last resort when the NHS cannot provide the treatment.
Dr Meldrum, who was born and trained as a doctor in Edinburgh, suggested the market reforms had not improved quality or effeciency. England's approach has led to quicker progress on waiting times with hospitals closing in on an 18-week waiting target by the end of the year compared to the deadline of 2011 in Scotland.
He added: "I'm not saying everthing is perfect north of the border, but at least there seems to be some shared agenda. Not a service run like a shoddy supermarket war. But Dr Meldrum, who was born and trained as a doctor in Edinburgh, suggested the market reforms were an "English disease" which had not improved quality or efficiency.
He added: "I'm not saying everything is perfect north of the border, but at least there seems to be some shared agenda. Not a service run like a shoddy supermarket war.
"If it can be done here in Edinburgh, it can be done in England.""If it can be done here in Edinburgh, it can be done in England."
Increasing interest
Jacky Davis, a consultant radiologist from London, said it was not just hospital care that firms were interested in as there were signs of increasing involvement in GP care and managing local health services.
She added: "The UK health system is a £100bn oyster that the commercial sector would want to crack open."
Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "I no longer recognise the NHS in England as the NHS as it was initially intended, where competition and privatisation drive service delivery, not the collaboration and partnership approach taken here in Scotland."
It comes as the BMA released a poll showing that 36% of the 1,000 polled did not think government changes had made the NHS better, although 42% did.It comes as the BMA released a poll showing that 36% of the 1,000 polled did not think government changes had made the NHS better, although 42% did.
Half were opposed to the use of the private sector, while a similar number thought they would have to contribute towards their care within 10 years.Half were opposed to the use of the private sector, while a similar number thought they would have to contribute towards their care within 10 years.
Dr Meldrum also attacked the government for its "anti-GP rhetoric" in its attempt to get them to work longer hours and introduce polyclinics. Doctors also attacked the government for its "anti-GP rhetoric" in its attempt to get them to work longer hours and introduce polyclinics.
Ministers want to see a network of polyclinics - health centres with a range of services available under one roof - set up across England.Ministers want to see a network of polyclinics - health centres with a range of services available under one roof - set up across England.
On Sunday, health minsiter Lord Darzi maintained they would not lead to closures of GP surgeries. On Sunday, health minister Lord Darzi maintained they would not lead to closures of GP surgeries.
Concern for patients But doctors passed a motion saying they would lead to longer journeys for patients and threaten existing GP surgeries.
But Meldrum told an audience of over 400 doctors that the polyclinic model was "imposed, unflexible and unplanned". Dr George Rae, a GP from the north east of England and member of the BMA's GPs committee, said: "Many polyclinics are likely to be run by for-profit multi-national companies.
"We are against a soltuion that means patients will have to travel further for most of their routine care. "The investment will not be good value for money¿ the government would be better putting the money into GP practices. We can achieve all the goals."
"We are against a solution that will destabilise local hospitals. But the Department of Health denied the polyclinics - or GP-led health centres as it calls them - were being imposed as the scope of them was being determined by local consultations.
"We are against a solution that threatens existing NHS practice in favour of commercial company provision."
This was followed by the passing of a motion accusing the government of "gunboat diplomacy".
It comes after accusations last week by health minister Ben Bradshaw that family doctors had "gentleman's agreements" in place whereby they promised not to take other GPs' patients.
But the Department of Health denied polyclinics - or GP-led health centres as it calls them - were being imposed as their scope was being determined by local consultations.
And on the issue of the private sector, a spokeswoman added the government's approach was "pragmatic not ideological".And on the issue of the private sector, a spokeswoman added the government's approach was "pragmatic not ideological".
"Where independent sector providers offer high quality patient care, innovation, good value for money and meet local needs, we will continue to bring them in to work as part of the family of NHS providers.""Where independent sector providers offer high quality patient care, innovation, good value for money and meet local needs, we will continue to bring them in to work as part of the family of NHS providers."