Health secretary wants to work with clinicians

Although making no promises, the health secretary has told consultants that the NHS cannot achieve everything he wants it to do without more resources.

Speaking to the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee (CCSC) last week, Mr Frank Dobson said that he wanted to move away from the beleaguered state and fear of new techniques to take advantage of the move to evidence based medicine to improve quality and achieve uniform standards throughout Britain. Clinicians must be put in the driving seat, he emphasised. “We cannot achieve what we want to unless we carry you with us.”

The opportunities outlined in the white papers would be based on partnerships. The National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness had to be professionally led. The Commission for Health Improvement, which would promote clinical governance, would not have a “hit squad” approach. Mr Dobson said that he already had the authority to send in hit squads when it was often too late. He wanted to be able to take action before then. Chief executives of trusts would …