Doctor’s warning over 'rock bottom' NHS morale

Photo: Oldham Chronicle

Dr Kailash Chand

A local doctors’ leader has warned of “tough times ahead” for the NHS despite a renewed pledge from Prime Minister David Cameron to protect the service.

Dr Kailash Chand, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association, said staff morale is at rock bottom due to real-term pay cuts and a relentless workload.

Many, he claims, have taken early retirement and new recruits are thin on the ground, despite the new Government’s pledge to hire 5,000 GPs over its term and create a true “seven-day” service.

Research revealed a 16 per cent higher death rate among patients admitted on Sundays against those admitted on Wednesdays.

Dr Chand said: “The Conservatives, who promised an extra £8 billion a year by 2020, have not detailed how they will raise the money or how much will arrive in each year to keep the NHS functioning

“And there’s been a further promise of a 24/7 service. But seven-day working, guaranteed shorter access times and more GPs and nurses have been described by BMA chairman Dr Mark Porter as outlandish and unachievable.”

He said the proposed £12 billion in further cuts suggest bigger reductions in local authority social care and related budgets - which could directly affect the NHS.”

Dr Chand warned that short-term financial pressures may knock the NHS off course while the past five years of underfunding for general practice and social care means the NHS faces tough times ahead as it embarks on its journey of integration.

He added: “The closure of GP-led walk-in centres, hospital beds, mental health services and community services is placing worrying pressure on elderly care and community services. History will not forgive if this government, without the constraints of coalition, contributes to the decline of the NHS.

“Let this be the five years that secure the future of the NHS as the best and fairest health service in the world.”

“What is needed from this government is to fund the NHS to the EU average, to restore the health secretary’s accountability to provide a universal health service and to stop the damaging drive towards a health market.”

“We need an open and honest debate about the NHS. We need to rebuild rather than being offered a shopping list of new policies.”