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Value for money...the many varieties of Emperor's clothes.
- Steven Ford (13 May 2009)
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ISCAs are not necessarily problematic
- Frank O Wells (14 May 2009)
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Steven Ford, Retired GP Haydon Bridge. NE47 6HJ
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The quest for information to define the value of various government initiatives has been frustrated by 'commercial sensitivity'. Any bets on how much MPs wish they were covered by the same arrangements? Ken Clarke said doctors were apt to 'feel for their wallets' when under threat - biter bit I think. All of these events reinforce the message that I tried to send some months ago when the BMJ very kindly published my 'How to be an MP' article. At present I'd say that any volunteer would be pushing at an open door. Please may I renew my request for colleagues to join in with an effort to jump start democracy - an Independent candidate in every constituency. I am no longer, if I ever was, overstating the case when I say we might win. Just think of all the harms we could reverse and benefits we could bring with the range of skills we have to hand... Competing interests: I am standing as an Independent candidate at the next general election. |
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Frank O Wells, Retired Capel St Mary, IP9 2JJ
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As an elected member of the BMA Council, I felt it essential to seek out as much information as possible about independent sector treatmemt centres (ISCAs) - the subject of Tony Delamothe's editorial (BMJ2009;338:b1863). A great deal of opinion about how they are anathema to the preservation of the National Health Service that we both want and need has been forthcoming from the more vociferous of my Council colleagues. So I embarked on a fact-finding mission of my own and found a lot of information available from patients, GPs, consultants and, especially, an exemplary ISTC and its manager. I was therefore very surprised to read the conclusion of Pollock and Kirkwood's article (BMJ2009;338:b1421) that the evaluation of the only contract for an ISTC in Scotland had proved so difficult and inconclusive. I am certain that the information that Pollock and Kirkwood found wanting is readily available if it is sought in an appropriate manner. Meanwhile, however, my own conclusions to date, no doubt to the dismay of several of my BMA Council colleagues, is that there is nothing inherently wrong or damaging to the NHS in the establishment of ISTCs, provided that they are indeed the result of a proper contract, the adherence to which is essential. I can provide many more details - and will indeed do so when appropriate - but wished to contribute to the current debate without delay. Frank Wells Competing interests: None declared |
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