BMA launches Look After Our NHS campaign

Feb 24 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

FEARS over commercialisation of the NHS has sparked healthcare workers in the North East to warn patients about the dangers of potential privatisation.

Doctors, hospital staff, and health and social care workers are worried about Government plans to introduce more commercial companies into the NHS through Privately Funded Initiatives.

They fear this could destabilise existing services, fragment patient care and put some services at risk of potential closure.

The British Medical Association has launched its Look After Our NHS campaign, with GP practices and hospitals in the region putting up posters and providing leaflets to patients informing them of the potential dangers of privatising the National Health Service.

Dr George Rae, chairman of the North Eastern British Medical Association (BMA), said: “We are concerned that the NHS in England is bringing in lots of private companies and this is damaging the health service, negatively affecting patient care.

“The ethos of the campaign is ‘keep the NHS publicly funded, publicly provided’.

“Privatisation of the NHS is occurring so gradually that many are unaware it is happening and the increasing use of commercial companies is seriously putting patient care at risk. It could end up fragmenting the NHS.

“As far as patients are concerned, they realise that although the NHS is not perfect it is appreciated and relied upon.

“It is a much-loved and much respected institution.

“By continuing to introduce a market-based, competitive-fuelled philosophy, services are at risk of breaking up and this will have a substantive effect on patient care. We need patients’ support in getting this message across to Government and politicians.”