Leader of Scotland's doctors address to annual conference of BMA

Speaking as Scotland’s politicians prepared to debate the final stages of a smoking ban, the leader of Scotland’s doctors congratulated Ministers for their commitment to the public health agenda. In his address to the Annual Conference of the BMA in Manchester today (Wednesday 29 June 2005), Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland said:

"Tomorrow our Scottish Parliament will host a landmark debate. A debate that has the potential to improve the health of Scots and establish what I hope is a precedent for the rest of the UK. MSPs will debate a bill which at its heart provides the framework for a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public places. This legislation has had support from politicians from all parties, except the Conservatives, and I hope that it will pass and Scotland can become ‘smoke free’ by spring next year.

"Scottish ministers should be congratulated for leading the way on this public health issue and for the way in which they have been guided by the evidence and by the views of the majority of the people in Scotland. And they should be applauded for the resolute way they resisted the lobbying from those whose sole intention is to profit from the misery and diseases of smokers. We say to Scottish politicians ‘very well done, do not lose your resolve – back this legislation tomorrow’."

Commenting on the introduction of Independent Sector Treatment Centres, Dr Terry warned of the push to introduce English-style reforms in the Scottish NHS. He said:

"The health service in Scotland has its problems. We have experienced an improvement in funding and yet Scotland remains the sick man of Europe. Since devolution Scottish Health Ministers have set an agenda that tries to address the particular needs of Scotland. Thus much of their policy relates to public health improvement, care for those with chronic disease, and care for the most vulnerable in society such as the elderly and those with incapacity – not hospital-based services and not just the immediately measurable. It is an agenda that has the support of society and the profession in Scotland.

"However, this agenda is not designed to buy quick, high profile political wins."

"It is inevitable that the results of vote-buying, quick win initiatives in other parts of the UK, albeit expensive and inefficient, will influence the Scottish health agenda. Waiting times are important, especially for those with urgent or painful conditions and we must make improvements in Scotland. However, investing in independent care providers will do little other than to drain the NHS of much needed resources and workforce.

"I would urge ministers and the Scottish media not to lose sight of the need to improve the health service for all – not just those with surgically amenable conditions which can be counted and measured every three months."

http://www.bma.org.uk