The BMA's campaign on the Government's health policies
July 2008
The BMA is taking every opportunity to highlight to Ministers, the media, Parliament and the public, the deficiencies of the current health policies and their adverse effect on patient care and the delivery of services.
The NHS@60 - 5 July 2008
Doctors from the past and present are featured in a new British Medical Association publication commemorating the 60th birthday of the NHS.
"Looking Back Looking Forward" highlights key milestones in NHS history and honours doctors’ contribution to medicine and health care over the last 60 years.
| Interactive PDF of Looking
Back Looking Forward You will need the latest version of Flash player. Download it now |
Static PDF of Looking
Back Looking Forward You will need the latest version of Adobe reader. Download it now |
A collection of stories, featuring doctors who were studying medicine or who qualified at the start of the NHS, reflect personal experiences of the early years in NHS history and BMA doctors, representing today’s medical profession, look ahead to the next 60 years and beyond.
Academic medicine in the NHS: driving innovation and improving healthcare
This paper sets out the synergies between medical education and medical research and why they are fundamental to the future success of the NHS.
The NHS at 60
The BMJ and The King's Fund marked the NHS's 60th anniversary with a 90 minute live debate entitled The NHS at 60 - time to retire or time to renew.
Chaired by broadcaster and journalist John Humphrys, the motion - "The founding principles of the NHS (services funded only by taxation and available to all regardless of ability to pay) are no longer relevant in 21st century Britain" - was proposed by Luke Johnson and Karol Sikora and opposed by Paul Corrigan and Polly Toynbee.
View the webcast of the debate
See our campaign activity since 2006
Towards a model of healthcare delivery, June 2008
Through the BMA’s Caring for the NHS campaign the medical profession has demonstrated its desire to play a leading part in recasting health service reform and to express an enduring commitment to the NHS. Although critical of a large number of specific reforms introduced since the year 2000, the medical profession, in chorus with other groups allied to the NHS, has repeatedly voiced the more general concern that the volume of reform to which the NHS in England has been subject, and the pace of its introduction in recent years, has both destabilised the health service and alienated large sections of its dedicated staff.The impact of polyclinics on family doctor services, April 2008
This briefing paper focuses on the potential impact of polyclinics on family doctor services. The paper looks at a number of issues ranging from Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review and the funding of health centres and polyclinics, to the provision of care by private, commercial companies.Public and patient involvement in the NHS
A BMA briefing paper investigating the concept of public and patient involvement - patients will have less influence over the running of the NHS in England after April 2008.An NHS constitution for England, February 2008
This paper sets out in detail the benefits that might be conferred by a constitution for the NHS in England and just what such a constitution might comprise.A rational way forward for the NHS in England, May 2007
A BMA discussion paper outlining an alternative approach to health reform, following a nine-month review of the challenges facing the NHS in England by the BMA.Caring for the NHS : the BMA's way forward, October 2007
The principles and proposals contained in this policy framework demonstrate the desire of the medical profession to play a leading part in recasting reform and reflect an enduring commitment to the National Health Service.
NHS@60 - BMA Cymru Wales speaks to a retired Welsh GP, practising before the creation of the NHS
As the NHS marks its 60th anniversary, the BMA in Wales asks Dr Hugh Herbert, a retired Welsh doctor about his experiences of the NHS and what the future holds for it in WalesWatch the webcast
Latest press releases
3 June 2008 - Consultants hampered in their efforts to do more for patients, BMA survey shows
4 June 2008 - "Hand back the NHS" demands BMA consultants' leader
9 June 2008 - Older and chronically ill people most at risk from polyclinics, BMA patient group warns
12 June 2008 - Over a million people say no to the government's plans for general practice
12 June 2008 - GP leader warns of the threat to personalised patient care
See also
- BMA activity in response to Lord Darzi's reviews of the NHS in England
Read more here