NHS Restructuring Is Risky - Says BMA

In a report published today, the Committee of Public Accounts has warned that the reorganisation of the NHS in England could “make the challenge of achieving savings for reinvestment even tougher.”



Commenting on the report, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the British Medical Association (BMA) said: 

“Having already been set the massive challenge of cutting costs by £20 billion, the NHS in England is now facing the most fundamental reorganisation in its history. The Public Accounts Committee is right to highlight the risks posed by such a massive restructuring at a time of financial crisis.



He added: “However, it is not just the timing, but also the direction of travel of these reforms that will cause problems. We share the concerns of the PAC that the consequences of increasing competition in the NHS have not been fully addressed. ‘Market failures’ in healthcare have far more serious consequences than in other industries - and may have little connection with quality of care, or even patient demand.” 



(BMcN/GK)