Avon Local Medial Committee - Latest News

The NHS pension scheme is sustainable and represents value for money for the public, the BMA says today (Friday 30 July, 2010) as it challenges some of the misconceptions about pensions for public sector workers.

In its submission to the independent commission into public sector pensions, the BMA points out that the NHS scheme is financed by employees and employers rather than taxpayers, and in recent years has actually provided a surplus to the Treasury.

It also draws attention to the fact that the scheme for NHS staff in England and Wales has already been subject to a recent major review.  In 2008 the normal pension age for new staff increased from 60 to 65, and employers’ contributions were capped, while contributions from doctors increased by up to 2.5%.  GP members of the scheme also pay employer contributions of 14%.

Dr Andrew Dearden, Chairman of the BMA’s Pensions Committee, said

“Pensions for NHS staff are by no means a drain on the taxpayer – they represent a fair deal for staff and value for money for the public.   We understand the need to keep the NHS scheme fair and sustainable in the long term, which is why we accepted the major changes recommended by the review in 2008.  

“NHS pensions play a vital part in recruiting and retaining a high quality workforce in future, and we hope they will continue to do so in future.”

View the full BMA submission at:   http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/pensions/ipspcevidencejuly2010.jsp     

Following the announcement of the emergency budget on 22 June, specialist accountants have now reviewed the Focus on new tax bracket guidance. The previous advice about superannuation has been removed as it is no longer applicable, as well as the spreadsheet illustrating how the tax could affect income for the year 2009-10 as it is out of date. Otherwise the guidance remains the same and we would urge practices to seek advice where necessary from an accountant.

The revised guide is available on the BMA website:

http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/tax/focustaxbrackets.jsp

Commenting on the launch of the consultation ‘Commissioning for patients’, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council, said:

“This document provides more detail about the government’s plans for GP commissioning, but there are still many questions that need answering. The proposals contain both opportunities and threats and we will be actively engaging with the consultation process to explore this in great detail and to ensure our members’ views are taken on board. We will also be publishing our own proposals for how GP commissioning could be made to work.

“This is a challenging agenda, but the BMA is committed to try to find workable solutions that will fully engage both primary and secondary care doctors and the public so that by working in partnership they can achieve the best outcomes for patients.”

BMA Comment on ‘Commissioning for patients’

Commenting on the launch of the consultation ‘Commissioning for patients’, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council, said:

“This document provides more detail about the government’s plans for GP commissioning, but there are still many questions that need answering.  The proposals contain both opportunities and threats and we will be actively engaging with the consultation process to explore this in great detail and to ensure our members’ views are taken on board.  We will also be publishing our own proposals for how GP commissioning could be made to work.

“This is a challenging agenda, but the BMA is committed to try to find workable solutions that will fully engage both primary and secondary care doctors and the public so that by working in partnership they can achieve the best outcomes for patients.”

Responding to the publication of the Government’s health white paper today (Monday, 12^th July 2010), Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council said:

“The proposals announced in today’s white paper will have a substantial impact on the NHS and patients. We are looking forward to discussing the details behind these new initiatives in more depth and playing an active role in the consultations that follow.“

On plans for commissioning of health care, Dr Meldrum said:

“Doctors are ideally placed to help determine the health needs of their local population. Every time they see a patient they have to make decisions about their care, in partnership with them. Doctors, and their staff, already take the lead on designing services and innovating new treatments for patients and will be interested in discussing how these roles will be enhanced. They will wish to see how the proposed changes allow them to work collaboratively, and in partnership with their patients, to facilitate improvements in the care pathway and to see unnecessary barriers and bureaucracy removed.

“Any reorganisation of the NHS must take place in consultation with clinicians so that it does not cause any disruption to patient services or needlessly waste the valuable time of healthcare professionals.”

The BMA has long called for better data to help measure and improve performance. Dr Meldrum said:

“Although giving patients more information about their care is to be encouraged, we need to be very careful about how we use any outcomes-based data to ensure it is meaningful to both the profession and patients.

“Plans to link outcomes to NHS funding will need to be carefully thought through to ensure that any payments are a true reflection of the activity and cost involved.”

With general practice high on the political agenda, the BMA is encouraging new and returning MPs to participate in its successful scheme to see how general practice operates first-hand. Following the successful launch of the scheme in October 2008, this will be the third time the organisation has invited MPs into general practice.

Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the GPC, said:

“There are an unprecedented number of new MPs in parliament and with the prospect of future government legislation proposing to hand GPs greater commissioning powers, the visits will provide MPs with an invaluable opportunity to develop a practical understanding of the issues concerning general practice.”

At the time the general election was called in April this year, 160 visits had been arranged and MPs from across the political parties had participated in the scheme. Many of the MPs who took part praised the hard work and dedication of the practice teams.

Dr John Hughes, from Manchester LMC and a member of GPC, took part in the scheme last year:

“We found the visit extremely useful, with an exchange of views on items affecting our patient population and the current difficulties and pressures on general practice. MPs and GPs can work together for the benefit of local patients and I would strongly encourage all practices to consider arranging such visits.”

The BMA is looking for GP practices which are willing to meet their MP. Any practices which are interested should contact the BMA: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .