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BMA ‘extremely disappointed’ with Government’s failure to listen on NHS reforms

By Laura Passi

GPC chair Dr Laurence Buckman has accused the Government of ignoring the 'serious concerns' of the profession over its upcoming health bill, as the BMA prepares to toughen up its response to the NHS reforms.

Dr Buckman wrote to all GPs warning that health secretary Andrew Lansley had left negotiators 'extremely disappointed' by failing to listen to concerns surrounding the scale and pace of his plans.

Pulse understands that the BMA is planning to 'harden up' its response to Mr Lansley's plans, just as the RCGP did when Dr Clare Gerada succeeded Professor Steve Field as chair.

Dr Buckman said: ‘While the Government's response to the consultation promises further discussion on some aspects of the detail, we are extremely disappointed that our main concerns, and those of many others, have been disregarded.'

However, the BMA is still hopeful that it can influence future developments and will launch a new section of its website to enable doctors to input their concerns more easily.

‘Despite the Government's disregard for the serious concerns we had expressed about the White Paper proposals, we still hope to be able to have some influence on developments in the coming months. However, we remain particularly concerned about increased competition within healthcare, and want to prevent greater input from the commercial sector,' added Dr Buckman.

GPC chair Dr Laurence Buckman GPC chair Dr Laurence Buckman Letter to all GPs in England - NHS reform White Paper Letter to all GPs in England

To download a PDF of the letter click here.

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