Commenting on the publication of the Independent Budget Review today (Thursday 29 July 2010), the BMA in Scotland welcomed calls for strong political leadership during times of financial pressure, but warned that any future changes to the NHS or pay and conditions must be planned and developed in partnership with the profession.
Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:
“I absolutely agree with the review that developing a longer term strategic view of public services is required, however public sector workers should not bear the responsibility for the failings of the banking system and the NHS must not pay the price of poor financial management by governments.
“NHS services are not optional, they are essential. Health inflation means that the costs of providing the health service rise over and above that of standard inflation rates. Therefore even protecting NHS budgets from cuts will not prevent the need for making significant efficiency savings in the NHS. A good health service is essential for a good economy. NHS budgets must be protected.
“I am pleased at this government’s commitment to work with us to scrutinise NHS Boards’ workforce plans but I also urge NHS managers to work with us and focus on identifying areas where they can truly eliminate waste and achieve genuine efficiency savings rather than be tempted to make arbitrary and indiscriminate cuts, such as a recruitment freeze, and introduce poorly thought out policies. Change must be planned.
Dr Keighley sent a clear warning that doctors should not be left to suffer for financial mismanagement in the economy. He said:
“This report makes some serious recommendations that we must warn against. We recognise that the UK is entering a period where a degree of pay restraint will be required but the BMA will continue to argue for fair reward for our members. Public sector workers are already facing a two year pay freeze and cannot be expected to continue to pay the price for the mistakes of others. This all comes on top of four years of no funding increase for general practice. Eventually something has to give and essential frontline services will suffer.