Professor Philip Banfield, BMA chair of council, has written today to the newly-appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, offering to “work together to get the NHS back on its feet”, with the aim of resolving disputes, bringing waiting lists down and delivering an improved health service for staff and patients.
Laying out a series of priorities, Professor Banfield says the junior doctors’ pay dispute must and can be resolved as soon as possible. “We have heard your commitment to pay restoration as a journey and put our faith in your intentions to work together towards a resolution,” says Professor Banfield in the letter. Wes Streeting has previously said he would telephone the junior doctors committee on “day one” of a new Labour Government.
Professor Banfield expresses his hopes of restoring the family doctor and continuity of care in general practice to provide better value and better care for patients. However, to stabilise primary care in England, a new contract must be “mutually agreed” between the Government and GPs.
On medical associate professions (MAPs), including physician associates, Professor Banfield asks the new Labour Government to pay attention to the dangers doctors have been raising which have been ignored by the previous administration. “MAPs are being employed across the NHS without any defined national scope of practice, posing a real and present patient safety risk,” he writes. “The profession will be looking for you to take urgent action; the dangerous substitution of doctors must be stopped.”
Addressing the new Government’s plans to cut waiting lists, Professor Banfield offers the BMA as a constructive partner, saying that “with the right leadership and the right investment in staff, our NHS can recover”. He highlights obstacles that need to be overcome and wants disincentives to take on additional work removed, so that doctors are not financially worse off if they take on extra shifts.
Professor Banfield finishes the letter by inviting Mr Streeting to meet with him as soon as possible to discuss the support the BMA can give the new Government to deliver these priorities and rebuild the NHS.
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Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.