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Doctors' leader calls for end to political "meddling"

04/06/2008

Government control of the NHS is to come under fire today from a leading doctors' representative.

Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the British Medical Association's (BMA) consultants' committee, will say it is time for politicians to "stop meddling" in the health service and to let medical professionals make key decisions.

His comments are to be made at the annual UK consultants' conference.

"This government has placed too much emphasis on central political control," Dr Fielden is to say.

"It is the lack of clinical evidence being used in some areas and the lack of clinical, and most importantly, public engagement that has meant this government has lost the trust of the profession.

"Let the professions lead, hand in hand with the public, and you will see the progress our patients want."

Proposed changes to the NHS, including the creation of polyclinics and greater involvement of the private sector, will also come under Dr Fielden's firing line.

Dr Fielden will urge the government to "dump the polyclinic" and "stop wasting money on poor procurement in the private sector and invest more intelligently in the NHS".

He will add: "Waiting times are at record lows, delivered not by the private sector but by the hard work and dedication of NHS staff, led by consultants.

"It is consultants' hard work, their leadership and innovation that delivers for the NHS. We know it, our patients know it - it's about time ministers acknowledged it too."