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A rational way forward for the NHS in England

A BMA discussion paper outlining an alternative approach to health reform

May 2007

Doctors at the BMA’s annual conference in 2006 expressed their alarm at the incoherence of the government’s NHS policies. Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, patients have seen real improvements in the health service. However, progress in England is under threat due to a constant wave of poorly integrated initiatives from the centre.

The BMA and doctors have a long-term commitment to the NHS and to high-quality patient care, We want to see the NHS survive and prosper and we want to be involved with the development of policies that benefit patients.

The BMA has undertaken a nine-month review of the challenges facing the NHS in England which resulted in the publication of a discussion document, 'A rational way forward for the NHS in England' (May 2007). The 24 recommendations call for an alternative way forward which could deliver better services to patients while safeguarding the core values of the NHS.

We are keen to engage those within and outside the medical profession to debate and comment on our proposals. We hope that you will send your comments to caringforthenhs@bma.org.uk
by 7 September 2007 so that we can take these into account when planning our next steps.

To download the full document as a PDF (257 KB) or a brief overview as a PDF (45 KB) please use the links on the right.

The report was published on Tuesday 8 May 2007.

- Read the press release.