Doctors are extremely concerned about the impact of the independent sector on healthcare, a survey reveals.
Nine out of ten respondents said they were worried about the future of their local health services if they were left to market forces.
Dr Richard Jarvis, survey respondent and consultant in public health medicine in Liverpool, said: “The dogma that market forces produce the most efficient use of money has been shown to be catastrophically wrong by the credit crunch.”
Furthermore, 86% did not think the provision of NHS services by commercial companies was a good idea.
The poll, by BMA News, was published as health minister Lord Darzi hinted the government could be re-examining its controversial Private Finance Initiative which has funded hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Darzi said: “That model of funding may have been the right model but I have no doubt that the Department of Health will be appraising whether that it is still the model for the future or whether there are other, better models.”
BMA consultants committee chairman Dr Jonathan Fielden responded: “We would urge the Department of Health to look again at PFI. The evidence is that there needs to be a fundamental review and we need to get something sustainable in a much harsher financial climate.”
Read more on the BMA campaign Look After Our NHS.
Tags: Privatisation
