Direct Elections To NHS Boards Will Not Improve Public Engagement, Says BMA Scotland
The calls came in advance of a Scottish Parliament debate on 'democracy in local healthcare'.
Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:
"It is clear that the current system that NHS Boards are using to consult is not working, the public is not happy about decisions that are being made and they don't feel that their views are being taken into account. Whether or not direct elections are introduced, difficult decisions will need to be made; NHS boards will still have a duty to consult the public on service changes and independent scrutiny will take place.
"Encouraging greater involvement and promoting effective governance are both laudable aims for the Scottish Government. The BMA supports greater public involvement but direct elections are not the answer.
"Better alternatives exist and today's debate should focus on how the Government can strengthen local structures and support NHS Boards to improve their own consultation processes and communicate better with the public rather than introducing expensive elections that divert much needed NHS funding away from patient care."
Note
In a briefing paper, published today, the BMA wrote:
The BMA welcomes the debate on democracy in local healthcare and would support greater public engagement on local decision making, it does not, however, support the introduction of directly elected NHS Boards.
Direct elections do not reflect the wider public opinion. Experience in England, where elections are held to local Foundation Trusts, demonstrate that only a fraction (in some cases less than 1%) of the local population vote in elections to Boards of Governors.
Direct elections risk using the NHS as a political platform. There is a risk that individuals with political aspirations or representatives from single issue campaign groups could seek election to NHS Boards to progress their own particular cause. In our view, this is not enhancing transparency or indeed openness in decision making, rather it would be using the NHS as a platform, which is not appropriate.
Direct elections will not add to existing accountability. NHS Boards are accountable to the Health Secretary who is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Councillors, also members of NHS Boards, are accountable to their electorate. Even with direct elections, difficult decisions will still need to be made and the BMA does not believe elections will improve accountability.
Better and more effective solutions exist to improve local engagement and participation. The Scottish Government is already introducing mechanisms to improve local engagement, creating standards for public involvement and introducing independent scrutiny panels. This matched with improved NHS Board consultation and a stronger role for public participation forums in Community Health Partnerships will deliver wider public engagement across the community.
http://www.bma.org.uk
Alegeri directe pentru NHS camerelor nu va îmbunãtãþi angajament public, afirmã BMA Scoþia - Direct Elections To NHS Boards Will Not Improve Public Engagement, Says BMA Scotland - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate