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Letter from the BMA to all consultant ophthalmologists and anaesthetists

8 December 2006

Dear Doctor

BUPA’s ophthalmology network

You are probably aware that BUPA Insurance Limited now appears to be involving consultants nation-wide in its local variation of the original network.

Steven Pink of BUPA is writing to consultants inviting them to send a Combined Submission which represents providers who wish to work together to deliver an ophthalmic service to BUPA members, and to ‘arrange discussions, as soon as possible, with those providers, whether a hospital, other consultant ophthalmologists or consultant anaesthetists, who you wish to work with to offer ophthalmic services’.

Whilst the BMA understands that some providers may accept this approach, you may be interested to know that BMI Healthcare Limited has advised us that having canvassed the opinion of specialists in relation to BUPA’s request for a “team” submission, the BMI hospital group will not be making a team submission. They do not agree to subcontract the anaesthetists’ charges and have confirmed that BUPA will need to negotiate with individual specialists in respect of their fees.

The BMA continues to be resolutely opposed to the establishment of networks which benefit only BUPA and will remove the independence of consultants and allow insurers to control a process which should involve choice and independence for both the profession and patients, but as always, the decision lies with each individual consultant about the action they wish to take.

Yours sincerely

Derek Machin
Chairman
Private Practice Committee

Rhod Daniel
Chairman
Ophthalmic Group Committee