Conservatives hit out over BMA contradiction

Today, Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman of BMA Scotland, has reiterated the BMA's support for the ban on commercially run GP practices, despite calling for policies that are ‘evidence based' and which deliver ‘value for money' and ‘improve(d) patient outcomes.'

Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Public Health, says:

"Dr Marshall's speech started so well as he called on the Government to ensure policies developed for general practice are ‘evidence-based,' and deliver ‘value for money,' and ‘improve(d) patient outcomes.' Unfortunately almost as soon these words passed his lips he completely contradicted himself by expressing support for the ban on commercial companies from providing GP services.

"The ‘evidence base' from England shows quite categorically that commercially run GP practices deliver ‘value for money' and ‘improved patient outcomes.' They therefore pass the BMA's own test for what's best for general practice. How sad then that they are ultimately blackballed by the BMA's anti private sector prejudices.

"Publicly the BMA may claim it judges policies on whether they are evidence based and deliver value for money and improved patient outcomes. However in reality, like so many other trade unions, it clearly judges policies on whether they will cement a public sector monopoly for its members."

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