Rescue bid for quality of care

This report is not ideology out of the blue. Members are particularly concerned about problems occurring as a result of privatisation in their local areas – in fact, a BMA survey revealed that more than two-thirds said they were uncomfortable with the independent sector being involved in NHS work. Just ask Sussex GP Brian Goss, who has seen the potential destabilisation of services that can result from contracts being put out to tender. Dr Goss watched as an ineffective musculoskeletal triage system was put in place in the county in 2013, delaying the point at which the clock started ticking for patients to have to see a physiotherapist. The service was soon handed to BUPA in a £235m deal. But an analysis of the decision — undertaken after it had already been rubber-stamped — soon revealed that to go ahead would plunge the local hospital trust into deficit.   Local outcry Dr Goss says: ‘The way it impacted on most of the system was not favourable. 'It would have put the local hospital out of business and would have put other similar services at risk. There was something of an outcry locally. This is an example of what a market approach can do in the NHS. It’s about resourcing, but it’s also about fragmentation. Here we are trying to integrate our health service and it is difficult to do that if the providers are changing and new relationships have to be formed.’ Dr Porter says: ‘Allowing the private sector to che...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news