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| NHS told to avoid 'slash and burn cuts' | NHS told to avoid 'slash and burn cuts' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News |
| NHS chiefs are at risk of making "slash and burn" cuts to services in a drive to save money, doctors' leaders say. | NHS chiefs are at risk of making "slash and burn" cuts to services in a drive to save money, doctors' leaders say. |
| British Medical Association chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said he was concerned about the impact across the whole UK. | British Medical Association chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said he was concerned about the impact across the whole UK. |
| Reports have emerged of restrictions on a range of "low priority" treatments, while waiting times are under pressure. | Reports have emerged of restrictions on a range of "low priority" treatments, while waiting times are under pressure. |
| The NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, agreed that any cost-saving measures must be well-thought through. | |
| Speaking ahead of the union's annual conference, which starts later, Dr Meldrum said there needed to be more transparency and debate about cuts. | |
| Health budgets have been largely protected by ministers across the UK, although once inflation and the impact of factors like the ageing population and cost of new drugs are taken into account, significant savings are having to be made. | Health budgets have been largely protected by ministers across the UK, although once inflation and the impact of factors like the ageing population and cost of new drugs are taken into account, significant savings are having to be made. |
| Dr Meldrum said: "No-one is saying the NHS does not need to change. There are some difficult decisions that need to be taken. But we will only make sensible decisions if we have real debate." | Dr Meldrum said: "No-one is saying the NHS does not need to change. There are some difficult decisions that need to be taken. But we will only make sensible decisions if we have real debate." |
| However, he said some of the steps being taken at the moment smacked of "slash and burn" decisions. | However, he said some of the steps being taken at the moment smacked of "slash and burn" decisions. |
| Restrictions | Restrictions |
| He highlighted rises in waiting times - last week the BBC revealed that the number of areas breaching waiting time limits had doubled in the past year - and tighter rules being placed on access to so-called low priority treatments as signs of the difficult times ahead. | He highlighted rises in waiting times - last week the BBC revealed that the number of areas breaching waiting time limits had doubled in the past year - and tighter rules being placed on access to so-called low priority treatments as signs of the difficult times ahead. |
| In recent months, cases have been highlighted where local health managers have restricted access to everything from treatment for varicose veins and tonsillectomies to obesity surgery and IVF. | In recent months, cases have been highlighted where local health managers have restricted access to everything from treatment for varicose veins and tonsillectomies to obesity surgery and IVF. |
| "I think too often people just see the top figures in the balance sheet and make rash judgements," Dr Meldrum added. | "I think too often people just see the top figures in the balance sheet and make rash judgements," Dr Meldrum added. |
| The topic is set to be one of the main focuses of the Cardiff conference on Monday. | The topic is set to be one of the main focuses of the Cardiff conference on Monday. |
| Among the cases expected to be highlighted is the situation in one area of north west London where 84 medical procedures are now restricted. | Among the cases expected to be highlighted is the situation in one area of north west London where 84 medical procedures are now restricted. |
| In another motion, doctors from north Wales are claiming frontline services in hospital are being squeezed by efforts to reduce job vacancies. | In another motion, doctors from north Wales are claiming frontline services in hospital are being squeezed by efforts to reduce job vacancies. |
| Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "NHS leaders must avoid such short-term tactics if they are to achieve effective change without compromising patient care. | |
| "Reforming the system so that it is fit for the future will require some difficult decisions. It is essential that NHS leaders and clinical staff work together to draw up the best solutions." | "Reforming the system so that it is fit for the future will require some difficult decisions. It is essential that NHS leaders and clinical staff work together to draw up the best solutions." |
| A spokesman for the Department of Health added: "We have been very clear that NHS organisations should not interpret efficiency savings as budget and service cuts. | A spokesman for the Department of Health added: "We have been very clear that NHS organisations should not interpret efficiency savings as budget and service cuts. |
| "We have also said that every penny saved through efficiency savings will be reinvested back into front line services." | "We have also said that every penny saved through efficiency savings will be reinvested back into front line services." |