Intended for healthcare professionals

Medicopolitical Digest

The profession must work to improve standardsPeers defeat government over student grantsCollege introduces evaluation programmeViews sought on public health function

BMJ 1998; 316 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7134.869 (Published 14 March 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;316:869
  1. Linda Beecham, Medicopolitical digest is prepared by

    The profession must work to improve standards

    The BMA has joined with medical royal colleges and deans of medical schools to show that the profession is working to maintain and improve standards. The association has already produced the first draft of a paper, which sets out what actions are already being taken locally and regionally and suggests ways to strengthen the system.

    The chairman of the BMA council, Dr Sandy Macara, told the council that it was important to demonstrate that self regulation was working and that the profession could offer guidance and support to doctors who were concerned about their own or a colleague's performance. There could be concerns about a doctor's work, health, or conduct. The ideal position, according to Dr Macara, would be that problems were resolved locally before they reached the General Medical Council's conduct or performance procedures.

    One of the triggers for the work is the proposal in The New NHS for a Commission for Health Improvement, which would offer “an independent guarantee that local systems to monitor, assure, and improve clinical quality are in place.” Where local …

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