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Doctors' group calls for less government control of NHS

21/02/2008

Day-to-day running of the NHS should be under the control of health professionals rather than the government, doctors said today.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says the Department of Health should be in charge of public health issues and that parliament should have a greater role in scrutinising NHS strategy.

In a discussion paper on NHS reform in England, the doctors' group calls for the NHS to have a formal constitution and greater independence from party politics.

"Such an important institution as the NHS should not be used by competing politicians trying to outbid each other with extravagant and unrealistic claims," said BMA council chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum.

"We need to transform the culture of the health service from one of politicisation to one of professionalism.

"This would ensure greater accountability to patients, and give NHS staff greater freedom to do their day-to-day work efficiently, without government interference."

The BMA's paper outlines its support for the traditional tenets of the health service - that it should be free at the point of delivery and funded by general taxation.

But under its proposals the NHS would be run by a board of directors and a patient contract would be created setting out rights and responsibilities.

"People deserve a clearer idea of what they are entitled to from their health service. We all want the very best for patients, but we must be honest and realistic about what any health service can do and what it cannot achieve," Dr Meldrum explained.

"An NHS constitution would renew and strengthen the public’s trust in an institution which they value very highly."