BMA: Care standards a concern for NHS doctors

Doctors have voiced a number of concerns about standards of care, but more could be done to address the issue, according to a new study carried out by the British Medical Association (BMA).

According to BMA consultants chairman Dr Jonanthan Fielden, the overall quality of care in the NHS will not improve until a change in culture takes place.

Entitled Speaking Up For Patients, the study indicated that 74 per cent of doctors had experienced concerns about malpractice, bullying or the safety of patients during their career.

Some 70 per cent of survey respondents said they voiced these concerns to a relevant authority, such as a supervisor, but 46 per cent claimed they were not sure if any action was taken after they spoke up.

Dr Fielden said: "It is worrying that some trusts seem to be stifling professional voices. This culture of inactivity and despair is preventing issues from coming to light, and putting patient care at risk."

New figures from the Royal College of Physicians indicate that within the next four years, female GPs could outnumber their male counterparts. ADNFCR-2353-ID-19204213-ADNFCR

05/06/2009 08:28

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