BMA warns of ‘second class’ GP service

The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that government plans to introduce a new of type of GP practice involving the commercial sector could leave patients in deprived areas with a second class service.

The BMA’s GP’s Committee (GPC) voiced their concerns in a letter to Lord Darzi which was published this week.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the GPC, suggested that patients registering with practices run by private organisations would be at a disadvantage compared to those registered with a traditional practice.

He added that these practices would potentially deliver a second class service to areas of the country that already have significant health inequalities.

The letter criticised government for “wasting time and energy” on developing new practices rather than supporting existing ones.

“The commitment to invest solely in ‘new’ primary care services rather than improving existing services and/or infrastructure we believe is short-sighted and will not provide value for money,” Dr Buckman stated.

He also confirmed the BMA’s resistance to extending GP opening hours at the expense of other services, indicating that only a small section of the population want evening and weekend opening.

Last month, the BMA warned patients about the various dangers of buying prescription drugs over the internet.