Doctors Voice Doubts Over NHS Funding
Doctors have warned the Government that its plans to provide extra cash for the National Health Service by cutting red tape won't release nearly enough money to improve hospitals.
The British Medical Association has said that, while it welcomes the dismantling of the internal market, it seriously doubts that enough money can be saved, and that extra resources will have to be found.
The Chairman of the BMA, Dr Sandy Macara, will be meeting the new Health Secretary Frank Dobson next Wednesday - the same day as the Queen's Speech setting out the Government's legislative programme.
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Sandy Macara
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He'll be calling for an extra one billion pounds' worth of investment in the Health Service over the next five years - an increase of about 3% a year.
By contrast, the Government is planning an increase of 0.3% a year.
The Labour Party promised in its election manifesto that it would maintain the Health Service without putting up taxes.
It planned to achieve the savings by dismantling the internal market - a system where health authorities and hospitals charge each other for services. The Government claims this would provide £100 million that would be spent on improving hospitals and patient care.
Despite its concerns over the funding of the Health Service, the BMA has welcomed other new health proposals,including a ban on tobacco advertising, and the setting up of a new public health ministry.
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