Warning of ‘retrograde step’ on public health

  Proposed changes to the organisation charged with looking after public health in Wales have been branded a 'retrograde step' by BMA Cymru Wales. The Welsh Government wants to relax the criteria for recruiting potential board members of Public Health Wales. It wants to allow academics from non-public health backgrounds to apply for the role of university non-executive director. Further changes also mean that applicants no longer need to be nominated for the role or come from a Welsh university. Doctors leaders in Wales are unhappy at the proposed move. The Welsh Government has said the proposed changes would mean an open and fair competition for posts. 'Wrong message' In its formal response to the Government, BMA Cymru Wales says: ‘We feel this would send out the wrong message and give an impression, whether inadvertently or not, that the Welsh Government does not fully value public health. 'The proposal could also risk depriving the board of some genuine public health expertise — something we feel would be a retrograde step. The response continued: 'Our members also have some concerns about opening up posts to candidates from outside of Wales. 'We feel this would risk the possibility of having board members with insufficient knowledge and experience of Wales, including of health, social care, environmental and educational matters. ‘As a result, there could again be a risk of appointing board members who lack a degree of relevant knowledge or ex...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news