The BMA is to mount a public information campaign against the commercialisation and break up of the NHS in England.
A motion proposing the way forward for the BMA’s new Look After Our NHS campaign was hotly debated at the union’s annual representatives meeting. The BMA is already raising awareness of the campaign among the medical profession.
Representatives voted for the campaign to protect GP surgeries, district general hospitals and community care and keep them publically funded. They also supported training opportunities being maintained for students and juniors and that the BMA council launch a significant public information campaign.
The latter required a two thirds majority among the representatives present at the request of the BMA’s treasurer - because he felt there are significant cost implications.
Dr Jacky Davis, CCSC member and the motion’s proposer, said: “What’s the evidence for turning the NHS into a market? That’s easy - there isn’t any. Why is it wrong to turn the NHS into a market? That’s easy too - because it’s bad for patients.”
However, a strong call for the BMA to organise a national march and rally for a publically funded NHS was rejected. Despite 53% of representatives voting in favour, it also required a two thirds majority.
BMA treasurer Dr David Pickersgill warned delegates that the cost of organising a march in London would be between £300,000 and £400,000. This was challenged by Dr Davis, who said: “The expenses are a red herring. Remedy spent a very small amount on their march. If you compare the amount of money this would cost with the refurbishment of BMA House - it’s duck houses.”
BMA House was recently refurbished for £12m. A spokesperson for Remedy UK said that its high profile marches in 2007 over the MTAS debacle, which were attended by over 12,000 people, cost the organisation about £4,000.
Council chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum told delegates: “I’m ambivalent on the march. You wave a flag, blow a whistle, but do you achieve much? Is this the way we want to take the campaign forward? I doubt it.”
Dr Ian Banks, a member of the BMA council, said: “The outside perception of what the BMA is doing is not good among the public or doctors. We need to march on the streets. It could be the turning point for the BMA. It could be critical to the future of the NHS. We need to show people we care.”
Another part of the motion, calling for a day of industrial action by doctors over the privatisation of the NHS, received little support from representatives.
Tags: Look After Our NHS, Privatisation
