BMA responds to National Audit Office report on patient choice

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 19 Jan 2005 - 10:00 PDT


UK - Commenting on the National Audit Office report "Patient Choice at the Point of GP Referral" published today (19/1/05), Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee said:

"There is still a lot of work to be done before GPs are convinced that the "choose and book" initiative will be successful. The IT system is still being developed and GPs are awaiting information on how the new arrangements will affect their consultations with patients.

"GPs feel they are working in an information desert and will need much more detail and experience of what is involved before they can be convinced of the benefits.

"Many GPs are still not completely satisfied that the system will protect patient confidentiality and will not have confidence in the new system until this is properly addressed."

For more information please contact:

Christine Mundin
Tel: 020 7383 6549
Fax: 020 7383 6403
Email: cmundin@bma.org.uk

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