Responding to the Health Foundation's new survey of "public perceptions of health and social care" Professor Philip Banfield, BMA council chair, said:
“This survey shows the scale of the challenge the new Government faces when it comes to the NHS. As doctors, we and our colleagues have been telling politicians and policymakers for years how bad the situation has become – and that it continues getting worse. Now here we have the public - patients, constituents - saying the same.
“Interestingly, the public point to the same solutions as doctors – with their priorities focusing on recruitment and retention, so that there are enough of us to provide the level of care we need to give, and they expect to receive.
“The first few weeks of this Government have seen early signs of progress, with a pay offer for junior doctors soon to be put to our members in England, and above-inflation pay uplifts awarded to other groups of doctors through this year’s pay review process. These are important first steps and this Government knows it needs to continue to reverse historical real-terms pay cuts experienced by all doctors.
“Huge issues remain, not least the need to properly fund and support general practice with the additional resources to reflect the extra work and costs they are bearing. The failure to do so means GPs continuing to hang up their stethoscopes, leaving and practices closing – which is why GP contractors in England have overwhelmingly voted to take collective action. The public understands this urgent need to fix the ‘front door to the NHS’ – as this survey shows.
“And while the new Government promises an extra 40,000 appointments a week at evenings and weekends, senior doctors may be penalised for taking on extra shifts with punitive pension tax bills. This does nothing for retaining the doctors that the public knows we so desperately need.
“It’s clear after a decade of growing waiting lists and deteriorating performance under the previous Government, the NHS was a key factor in people voting for change last month. It’s now time for this Government to fulfil its part of the deal for voters – whether they’re patients, staff or indeed, both – and build an NHS that this country can once again be proud of.”
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.