'Free NHS from MPs' interference'

12 April 2012

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for the Government to have less say in the day-to-day running of the NHS in England, freeing it from politicians' "extravagant and unrealistic claims".

The BMA is proposing a formal constitution for the NHS, giving it greater independence from party politics. The arguments are contained in the first of a series of discussion papers on NHS reform in England.

The paper says that health professionals, in consultation with patients, should have much greater involvement in NHS management.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of council at the BMA, said: "Such an important institution as the NHS should not be used by competing politicians trying to outbid each other with extravagant and unrealistic claims.

"We need to transform the culture of the health service from one of politicisation to one of professionalism."

He said this would ensure greater accountability to patients and give NHS staff more freedom to carry out their daily work more efficiently, without Government "interference".

The BMA believes that the statute books fall "some way" short of defining a framework with an adequate and lasting foundation for the future health service.

The proposals would see the service operate under the guidance of a Board of Governors. And the Department of Health's control over day-to-day operational matters would be significantly reduced, with the focus of its remit shifting to public health issues.

Parliament would have a greater role in the scrutiny of NHS strategy, for example in resolving disagreements over the strategic direction of the NHS.

The paper reiterates the BMA's position that the NHS should remain free at the point of use, and funded by general taxation. The Department of Health said that transferring decision-making powers to an unaccountable national board would be "nonsense".

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