BMA launches review on UK healthcare spending

Two major issues emerged at the launch last week of the BMA's review of healthcare funding in the United Kingdom. Participants at a London seminar, held to kick off the debate, wanted a system that protected the most vulnerable populations in society—particularly mentally ill people—and one that was equitable, so that proved treatments available to patients in one area were available to patients everywhere.

But none of the 40 participants could offer a solution to the problem that some patients would always be able to buy the most up to date drugs and procedures before they had been proved to be cost effective, whereas others would not.

The BMA's review, which was announced last year when the NHS was showing particular signs of strain, is expected to last …