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Letter to all consultant ophthalmologists and anaesthetists

17 July 2006

Dear Colleague

Re: BUPA Ophthalmology Network

We are writing to update you on the situation regarding the above.

The profession has had a number of meetings to develop policy and to look at ways in which we could address the issues raised by BUPA regarding quality assurance and cost effectiveness.

We have offered to work with BUPA to implement our proposals but on the strict understanding that these are to replace the network, not as part of the network.

We are absolutely certain that the network is against the interests of both patients, in terms of choice, and the profession. The network represents a further measure to control/depress income from private practice. If you doubt this, consider what has happened since the BUPA consultant partnership was introduced - no increase in most benefit levels and a depressant effect on fees across the whole private sector with the result that the relative value of fee income has dramatically decreased since 1990. The effect of the network would be much worse as any attempt to increase fees would then result in expulsion and exclusion from treating any BUPA insured patients rather than merely losing out on a 10% procedural bonus. Read a copy of the letter we have written to BUPA here, and reiterate that we are willing to work with BUPA but without a network.

We must point out that it takes two to negotiate and that it may not be possible to reach an acceptable agreement with BUPA, in which case our advice to decline to be involved in the network would stand. The evidence we have from our surveys indicate that there is an overwhelming rejection of the network by both consultant ophthalmologists and anaesthetists. We are aware, however, that individual ophthalmologists may get nervous about their BUPA practice and we would advise that colleagues in each area agree between themselves not to join the network - no doctors = no network. You are more powerful than you believe.

We will continue to work on your behalf and will keep you informed of progress.

Yours sincerely

Derek G Machin
Chairman
Private Practice Committee

Rhodri Daniel
Chairman
Ophthalmic Group Committee