This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6235416.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Doctors threaten attack on reform Doctors 'feel under attack'
(about 2 hours later)
Doctors are threatening an all-out attack on the government's NHS reform programme, labelling it "not fit for purpose" and damaging to patients. Doctors feel under attack from the government, the leader of the British Medical Association says.
Hundreds of medics will debate the critical motion at the start of the British Medical Association's four-day annual conference in Torquay. Dr Sam Everington, BMA acting chairman, said the government had lost the support of many NHS staff, who now felt they were just financial commodities.
It comes after a poll of the public found four in 10 did not think the NHS had improved under Labour. Speaking at the start of the BMA annual conference in Torquay, he urged incoming prime minister Gordon Brown to listen to the profession.
It comes ahead of a series of critical motions at the four-day meeting.
One of the first motions says the government has showed a "contemptuous disregard" for the views of doctors.
Vocation, dedication and lifetime commitment to patients and the NHS has little value in this new world - we are just financial commodities Dr Sam EveringtonBMA acting chairman
This has resulted in reforms which are "not fit for purpose" and damaging care.
Other motions set to be debated include criticism of the government's use of the private sector and closure of A&E units to save money.
Doctors will also debate a call for the NHS to be removed from direct political control by setting up an independent board to run the health service.
A survey of the public by the BMA, released on Sunday, found four in 10 did not think the NHS had improved under Labour.
Quitting medicine
Dr Everington said many junior doctors were leaving the profession over the botched introduction of new training and job application system.
He said GPs had been given no pay rise for the second year running despite providing excellent services.
And he added consultants were facing "real threats of redundancies due to ill-thought-through plans for hospital reconfiguration".
Dr Everington said: "Doctors feel under attack, the government wants to turn everything into something that has just a monetary value.
"Vocation, dedication and lifetime commitment to patients and the NHS has little value in this new world - we are just financial commodities."
And in a personal message to Mr Brown, he said: "Listen to us not because we are doctors but because we have given a lifetime of service to patients in the NHS - we are their champions."
Doctors will also raise concerns about public health issues such as obesity.Doctors will also raise concerns about public health issues such as obesity.
Our doctors will have very strong views about how reforms have affected the health service Dr Michael WilksConference chairman Obesity
A motion has been put forward calling for obesity in the under-12s to be considered parental neglect.A motion has been put forward calling for obesity in the under-12s to be considered parental neglect.
Concern will also be raised about the rising number of alcohol-related deaths, with a proposal for the legal age for buying alcohol in shops to be raised to 21, although pubs could still serve those aged 18 and over.Concern will also be raised about the rising number of alcohol-related deaths, with a proposal for the legal age for buying alcohol in shops to be raised to 21, although pubs could still serve those aged 18 and over.
Doctors will also debate whether to call for a ban on the drinking of alcohol in streets.Doctors will also debate whether to call for a ban on the drinking of alcohol in streets.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: "There are some very serious concerns among the profession."
Abortion laws will also come under the microscope with a proposal put forward to allow terminations in the first trimester on an "informed consent" basis, scrapping the rule that requires two doctors to agree on the procedure.Abortion laws will also come under the microscope with a proposal put forward to allow terminations in the first trimester on an "informed consent" basis, scrapping the rule that requires two doctors to agree on the procedure.
But Monday is likely to be dominated by an attack on government reforms.
Independent board
The BMA has released a poll of 1,000 members of the public, showing that 42% felt the NHS had not got better in the last 10 years.
One of the first motions says the government has showed a "contemptuous disregard" for the views of doctors.
This has resulted in reforms which are "not fit for purpose" and damaging care.
Other motions set to be debated criticise the government's use of the private sector and closure of A&E units to save money.
They will also call on the NHS to be removed from direct political control by the setting up of an independent board to run the health service.
Doctors will also call on the government to promote more research into the prevention and treatment of hospital bugs such as MRSA.
Dr Michael Wilks, who is chairing the four-day conference, said: "Our doctors will have very strong views about how reforms have affected the health service. I think we can expect lively debates."
Health minister Andy Burnham defended the government's record, and said exciting changes were taking place in the way primary care, in particular, was delivered to patients.Health minister Andy Burnham defended the government's record, and said exciting changes were taking place in the way primary care, in particular, was delivered to patients.
He said the government would push ahead with reforms to offer patients the services they want, a time that was best for them.He said the government would push ahead with reforms to offer patients the services they want, a time that was best for them.