HC Deb 27 June 1989 vol 155 cc426-7W
19. Mr. Andrew MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the British Medical Association; and what issues were discussed.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I last met the British Medical Association on 14 June and it confirmed that it shared the aims of the Government to create a better National Health Service, as set out in the foreword to the White Paper.

The BMA also confirmed that it agrees on the desirability of introducing better financial control, and quality control in the form of medical audit in the service. It also agreed on the need to make money follow the patient, and to make patient service the prime objective of the service.

It did not, however, agree with some of the major proposals in the White Paper such as self-governing hospitals, about which many people in the NHS have expressed interest. These proposals are crucial to delivering the better service which both I and the BMA want. It did not put forward any new proposals of its own to achieve those aims. It did agree to further discussions.

I intend to reform the NHS to make it more able to provide an improved service to patients. I made it clear to the BMA that I would welcome a constructive contribution from it to that process of reform whenever it felt able to make one.

33. Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what matters were discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the British Medical Association.

45. Dame Jill Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the British Medical Association representatives to discuss the Health Service review; and if he will make a statement.

62. Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of the British Medical Association; and what matters were discussed.

67. Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the representatives of the British Medical Association; and what was discussed.

Mr. Mellor

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Berkshire, East (Mr. MacKay) today.