BMA rejects bypassing consultants

Jo Dillon,Deputy Political Editor
Saturday 02 November 2002 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Plans to bypass the failed NHS reform deal for consultants by creating a new "sub-consultant" grade among more junior doctors have met immediate opposition from the British Medical Association, which dismissed the proposal as a "kneejerk reaction".

Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, wants a junior grade for hospital consultants to cope with the extra NHS work rejected by consultants in a ballot last week. He also promised more cash for those who commit themselves to taking on the new specialist grade.

But the BMA said yesterday that the medical profession was "united against this idea at all levels". "A special consultants grade is not the way forward," a spokesman said. "People expect a consultant-delivered service [staffed by] senior hospital doctors, not by juniors."

The Government is keen to stress that it is not about to go to war with consultants or with the BMA. However, there are already suggestions that some consultants might resign from the NHS and sell their services through barrister-style "chambers".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in