Darzi reforms ‘require staff support’

NHS reforms announced earlier this week in Lord Darzi’s review of the health service are positive but require sufficient engagement with staff if they are to succeed, it has been claimed.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said much of the review could deliver improvements to the NHS if delivered, adding that the delivery of the recommendations depends on the detail of the proposals.

It claimed that if staff are sidelined the Darzi review will be nothing more than fine words with the NHS missing out on desperately-needed improvements.

The association criticised past instances during the review process of insufficient consultation with staff and the general public on changes to local NHS services.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA council, said: “An NHS constitution is something that the BMA has called for and the public deserves a clearer idea of what it can expect from the health service it funds.”

He added the consultation should empower staff to run the NHS locally without daily interference from politicians.

Earlier this week, the government claimed the planned NHS constitution would enshrine the values and principles of the health service for the future, with the reaffirmation of free healthcare provision without discrimination.