19 October 2009

BMA Chairman Backs Front Line Services

There's a new face representing Northern Ireland's medical professionals.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has this morning announced the appointment of a new NI chairman - and he has plunged straight into controversal issues.

Dr Paul Darragh said today: "No-one could possibly be unaware of the current crushing financial pressure being brought to bear on health services."

Dr Darragh, (pictured here) who is Associate Specialist in General Medicine based in the Mid-Ulster Hospital said that the financial position is complicated because of budget problems, which were previosly well publicised.

He is concerned that proposed measures involve reducing services in order to save money and cut budget shortfalls.

"I will strive to ensure that high quality, front line health services are maintained," he insisted.

Dr Darragh continued: "These financial constraints have made it imperative that the BMA should continue to work constructively with the Minister for Health and departmental officials, and I look forward to doing so," he said.

"I believe it is important that the BMA continues to lead the way in tackling other issues which impact on both doctors and patients.

"These include the need for proper commissioning of services; tackling the H1N1 virus; ensuring that patient confidentiality is maintained; and confronting public health issues such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption," he continued.

The new BMA Chairman said that he was "honoured and humbled" at being able to represent and lead his profession in NI.

He paid tribute to Dr Brian Patterson, his predecessor during the last six years, "for the tireless and inspirational manner in which he fulfilled the role".

"I have had the privilege of working with him, and I will progress the work which he has started," he concluded.

Although Dr Darragh is from Magherafelt, he trained in University College Dublin from 1978-1984.

Later, he became interested in medico-politics due to what he saw was the undervaluation of an important group of doctors - the staff grades and associates - whose contribution to patient care was going unrecognized.

(CL/BMcC)