Doctors are concerned about plans to increase competition in the NHS in England, according to a British Medical Association (BMA) survey.
The Ipsos MORI poll of 1,645 BMA members in England shows even the minority of doctors who are generally supportive of the debated NHS reform plans are worried that competition will lead to fragmentation across the health service (89 per cent).
Hamish Meldrum, BMA chairman, said: “This survey shows that the government can no longer claim widespread support among doctors as justification for these flawed policies.”
The study also revealed that doctors are concerned that the plan for all NHS hospitals to become foundation trusts will damage NHS values (66 per cent) and that the proposed system of clinician-led commissioning will increase health inequalities (65 per cent).
It found that 88 per cent of doctors questioned believe the reforms will lead to increased competition, but only 21 per cent believe this will improve the quality of NHS care. Meanwhile, 61 per cent of doctors believe that the reforms will result in them spending less time with patients.
The BMA has the full results of the poll.
The organisation has called a Special Representative Meeting to debate the reforms, with the meeting take place on Tuesday March 15, 2011.