Responding to today's Spring Statement,BMA council chair Professor Philip Banfield said:
“With all of today’s talk about growth, the Government must not lose sight of the fact that a healthy economy relies on a healthy population, and therefore the need to resource health services effectively.
“While health spending may have been protected from any cuts today, doctors on the frontline will be the first to say how current levels of investment are nowhere near enough to meet the needs of patients and the population.
“The Chancellor was keen to highlight falling waiting lists. This progress is down to the hard work of our members and their colleagues. The Government ignores doctors’ contribution to tackling the backlog and the value that we offer at its peril. The need to restore doctors’ pay after years of real-terms cuts remains a priority, and the upcoming pay review process and Government response will be the prime opportunity for ministers to demonstrate its commitment to valuing and retaining doctors in the NHS. Today’s inflation forecasts from the OBR mean the current Government suggestion of a 2.8% pay uplift for doctors would still be a real-terms cut. This would be a disaster, likely leading to further industrial disputes and a further haemorrhaging of medical talent from the health service and the country.
“Meanwhile, despite the Government’s commitment to productivity and efficiency in public services, we still have bizarre disincentives to take on additional work in the NHS, with pension taxation rules and childcare allowances meaning doctors are forced to reduce hours when they could be, and want to be, offering more time to patients. An opportunity to address this was sadly missed today.
“Tackling bureaucracy and red tape is something we have pushed for in the NHS – the system is just not geared to enabling doctors and nurses to get on with treating patients, and now is the perfect chance to do that. The medical and public health expertise within NHS England must be utilised and expanded as NHSE as an organisation is disbanded. Now is also the time to recognise that our GPs are the most efficient part of the NHS, with an independent contractor model that can help relieve pinch points – but only by sensible and credible additional investment.
“Health is much more than just the NHS. Today’s harsh welfare cuts – largely falling on disabled people – will be a huge source of distress and anxiety for those affected. Disabled people still face appalling prejudice and discrimination in the workplace. As the Government’s own analysis states, this will potentially push thousands more people into poverty – the health impacts of which are widely acknowledged.
“People who want to work should receive support to do so, not have it taken away. Employers should be making adjustments so that disabled people can be part of the workforce, rather than being forced into unsuitable work by cruel cuts to vital payments.
“These welfare policies are short-sighted and counter-productive, with the physical and mental health impacts potentially driving even more people out of work, piling ever more pressure on health services as doctors and their colleagues are left to pick up the pieces.”
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.