Comments on: The BMA - what use are they?

By: FrontPoint Systems Ltd » Blog Archive » The Doghouse

FrontPoint Systems Ltd » Blog Archive » The Doghouse — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:52:35 +0000

[...] Or maybe not as recounted by Private Eye in their Medicineballs column. Brian Butler has been mentioned here before and he is joined by colleagues in the IT & legal [...]

By: Elliot

Elliot — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:53:03 +0000

Butler worked for a big government department previously and his friends ay the BMA employed him for a fat-cat salary. It is now obvious that BMA’s image and credibility had sreadily deteriorated since Butler was employed. He seems to be a serious liability, and at times appears to be generating work for his own fat-cat survival. With membership dwindling,surely BMA must review the need to have fat-cats like Butler and consider making him redundant with a few others. BMA website is hardly used by its members, though Butler is making a big fuss about it to strengthen his own position. What an organisation the BMA has turned out to be.

By: garth

garth — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:42:15 +0000

where have you gone?

am missing the analytic excellence of front point

By: fps

fps — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:47:59 +0000

Dr Richard Taylor, ex-hospital consultant & Independent MP for Wyre Forest criticises the "leaders" of the profession in the Guardian. Medical leaders should take a stand

Friday April 27, 2007 The Guardian I strongly support the view expressed by Jacky Davis (Doctors don't want golf - they want empowerment, Response, April 24). Recent events in the House of Commons have made it even more imperative for the medical profession to reassert its former power. With a government totally determined to force through ill-considered health reforms against all argument, however reasonable, it is not possible to effect change when working within the system. I believe this is the mistake the leaders of the medical profession are making. The mental health bill, coming from the House of Lords with carefully considered amendments, most of which were supported unanimously by members of the Mental Health Alliance, a unique coalition of users, carers, health and social care professionals, lawyers, research bodies, ethnic and religious groups and voluntary organisations, was one recent example of government immunity to well-argued common sense. The other current example relates to the potential disaster of the Medical Training Applications Service. Here the government disregards dire warnings from senior and junior hospital doctors of the likely consequences of this divisive implementation of the first stage of Modernising Medical Careers, a generally accepted necessary change to medical training. Surely this was the ideal occasion for the medical royal colleges and the British Medical Association to flex their muscles, if only they had grasped that working with the government would be ineffective and contrary to the wishes of many of their grassroots members. I appeal to the acknowledged medical leaders to step away from the government, regardless of personal consequences, and to really represent the interests of patients, the public and staff in all matters relating to our National Health Service. Richard Taylor MP Independent, Wyre Forest

By: agog

agog — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:54:05 +0000

Disagree with The Angry Medic in that have thought for years that if science professionals want “control” over their futures they need to be involved in the politics. Has long been an issue with R&D funding for science research. I don’t know about the BMA but surely there are other avenues for involvement - well we know this with the evolution of BLOGS. But at some stage politically skilled medics have to be in the midst of the decision making process?? Idon’t know where the NHS system can accommodate this. Maybe that’s a target for change.

By: The Angry Medic

The Angry Medic — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:15:47 +0000

I voted ‘No’ and waited for the results to come out, and surprise surprise - 81% share my opinion. Just as I thought.

I mean, the BMA serves some of its purpose - the BMJ and sBMJ are still widely read in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth - but it’s failing miserably in its role as advocate. This is what happens when doctors try their hand at politics - the ones with the huge egos float to the top, get into the BMA, then try and kiss both their members’ and the government’s arses at the same time. In the end they get support from neither.

BTW, you run a great blog here - Crippen’s been raving about you for weeks. I’ve added you to my blogroll. Hope you don’t mind the heading I’ve given you