GPs Warn Of NHS 'Peril' If Reform Bid Fails In Letter To Telegraph

A group of GPs have warned the NHS may be "in peril" if proposed government reforms do not go through.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the heads of more than 50 doctors' groups hit out at the British Medical Association (BMA) for its "blanket opposition" which, they said, did not adequately represent the majority of GPs' views.

Signed by 56 GPs, who are helping to establish clinical commissioning groups which will be replacing the current primary care trusts (PCTs), the letter says previous reforms have not gone far enough and have failed to modernise the NHS.

"We cannot allow that to happen this time," it continues.

"Without strong clinical leadership and the co-ordinated efforts of local clinicians the NHS itself may be in peril: local services can only be improved if we all pull together."

Healthy Secretary Andrew Lansley has touted the Health and Social Care bill as a necessary improvement to the public body. The bill would give GPs more say in how services are run.

But the BMA strongly opposes the proposed legislation, which is currently on its passage through parliament.

"Unanswered questions remain in many crucial areas such as practical implementation and how individual components within the reforms will work together," the BMA says.