Health secretary Wes Streeting has called on the British Medical Association (BMA) to cease what he described as 'sabre-rattling' and instead collaborate with the government on NHS reform. His comments follow a damning report by Lord Darzi, which Streeting said makes clear that the 'status quo of managed decline is not an option'.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Streeting warned that the BMA's threat of collective action over budget restraints would harm patients and put additional strain on colleagues elsewhere in the NHS. He urged GPs to work with the government to rebuild the family doctor relationship.
Professor John Bell of Oxford University criticised the BMA, calling it 'a major drag on reform of healthcare' and arguing that the medical profession's conservative stance hinders progress. Streeting acknowledged having productive conversations with the BMA on reform but expressed frustration over the continued threat of collective action, despite the government's £100m investment in GP unemployment and commitment to increasing primary care funding.
Streeting ruled out introducing sugar or salt taxes to fund NHS upgrades, citing the cost-of-living crisis. He emphasised the need for capital and tech investment to break the cycle of rising day-to-day spending and poor productivity, and reiterated his goal of reducing waiting lists and meeting constitutional standards within five years.
