Doctors defiant despite NHS Bill's progress

Both the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and British Medical Association (BMA) were standing firm after yesterday's votes saw the government's Health and Social Care Bill clear its first hurdle in the Lords.

They also highlighted that the marathon debate had centred on subjects that were of most concern to medical practitioners.

Dr Clare Gerada, chair of the RCGP, was encouraged by the high turnout of peers and said it proved how important the concerns were.

"Our own snapshot survey of RCGP members (1,904) showed that over 70% of respondents wanted the Bill to be withdrawn," she said.

"Many of the areas that GPs have raised for the sake of patients and the NHS were flagged up in the debate; the duty of the Secretary of State to provide a comprehensive health service; greater clarity around integration versus choice and competition and the added bureaucracy that we think could hamper clinicians in delivering services to meet the needs of their local patients and communities.

"We urge the Government to listen to these and act upon them.

"The vote is by no means the end of the story, and we will continue to work closely with Parliamentarians as they seek to scrutinise the Bill, so that the legislation delivers a genuinely better system for patients," she added.

Dr Gerada was supported by her opposite number from the BMA.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA Council, said: "It remains our position that the Bill should be withdrawn, or if not that it should be substantially amended, and we will continue to raise our concerns at every available opportunity as the Bill progresses through the House of Lords.

Dr Meldrum reiterated the fears mentioned by the RCGP and added: "In addition, we continue to have significant concerns over the arrangements for public health and education and training and we will be looking to see improvements made in these areas too."