Doctors fears over NHS privatisation shake-up.
In light of the government’s white paper reform on the NHS, Kent’s representative of the British Medical Association warns profits could be put before patients.
The proposed NHS shake-up would lead to abolition of three of Kent’s primary care trusts, giving GPs far more power and control on how the money is spent. However critics of the white paper fear that many GPs do not have the tools or expertise in terms of financial knowledge to effectively implement these changes resulting in many GPs hiring cheaper external expertise to manage their budgets.
Kent BMA spokesman Dr Paul Hobday said, “the NHS might as well rename itself the National Health Business if the proposals get the go-ahead. There will be a conflict of interest and profits will be put before patients.
”“Things could end up getting quite incestuous (if private firms buy their own services) and it will be the taxpayer who misses out because a lot of the NHS will end up in private hands. As it stands, business will win rather than the patients and it’s a recipe for scandalous waste. Giving more power to GPs sounds like a good thing – and it will be if it’s safeguarded with a system where patients are referred without any financial incentive.
”“But unfortunately that’s not going to happen, because the Government doesn’t want it to happen.”Under the proposed white paper Kent’s three primary care trusts – Eastern and Coastal Kent, Medway and West Kent will be scrapped. In answering critics the government believes the new GP-led structure will be held accountable by an independent NHS board.
This independent accountability would be free from political interference, while responsibility for public health will be passed onto local authorities. Also included in the white paper is the scrapping of strategic health authorities.
Graham Hills, operational director of the patients group the Kent Local Involvement Network (LINKS) said, “I think it is the right way to go, in terms of who is better to buy health care on your behalf – and who is better than your family doctor? I welcome the bottom-up approach. The worrying thing is when GP funding-holding was around it was not a level playing field because some doctors had more money than others.
”“One of the key things is making sure these consortiums have the same purchasing power, because there are health inequalities already within the county. Life expectancy in Sevenoaks is more than in Thanet, and it has to be addressed.”With growing concerns over the implementation of the NHS shake-up, the government said it will consult all parties concerned on its plans before rolling them out.
NHS West Kent Chief Executive Steve Pheonix said, “He hoped the coalition did not make any rash decisions. I would personally prefer to see the incoming administration, who I know are impatient to make changes and improvements, take their time.”“Time is needed to air out the inevitable questions and queries that will come up.
”With the government’s proposed white paper on NHS reform, the debate and uncertainty on how this will affect patient care will continue. One thing is for sure as GP consortiums take place; the need to get on board professionals who are able to deliver the services will be paramount. MPP Locums provide general and specialist locum doctor jobs for NHS trusts throughout the UK.
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