BMA launches Look After Our NHS campaign

Feb 24 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

A spokesperson for NHS North East said: “Our aim is to make sure NHS patients receive the most convenient, high-quality healthcare each and every time they need it.

“Part of this involves giving patients more choice and flexibility to access NHS services most suitable to their needs.

“The NHS has, for a long time, used independent healthcare providers for some services where it makes access more convenient or quicker for patients.”

Health Minister Mike O’Brien added: “We oppose the privatisation of the NHS.

“The Government is committed to an NHS funded by taxation, with equal access to care, free at the point of use, based on clinical need and not ability to pay.

“We want to ensure that patients receive the best quality care and taxpayers the best value for money.

“Independent and third sector organisations were used successfully to get down waiting lists for operations and can make a contribution to this by helping to add capacity and increase patient choice.”

The campaign comes less than two years after the BMA’s Support Your Surgery campaign, where more than 55,000 patients from the North East signed a petition to try to stop their GP practices being forced to make way for super-surgeries run by private companies.

The petition, signed by 1.3 million people in England, was handed to 10 Downing Street.

For more information about the BMA’s new campaign log on to www.lookafterournhs.org.uk