Whispering Campaign Against NHS Must Stop says MP

Tags: NHS | Press Release

Wednesday, 30 July 2008 00:00

Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, today hit out at doctors who use the cloak of anonymity to undermine public confidence in the local NHS. The MP says doctors with concerns should immediately take these to hospital chiefs. “Any concerns should be recorded and meticulously investigated.” The MP was speaking at his Nelson constituency office following reports in Monday’s Lancashire Telegraph that specialists were spending too much time on the M65 going back and forth between Burnley General and the Royal Blackburn. The anonymous doctor also claimed that operations had been canceled because of lost notes; that wards were dirty despite the Deep Clean programme, and, controversially, that the twin hospital sites were putting patients at risk. The MP said: “It makes my blood boil to read these comments, made anonymously, when the doctor involved can raise these concerns directly with the top clinician at the Hospital Trust, Dr Geraint Jones, or with the Chair, Alan Green, or the new Chief Executive, Marie Burnham.” “I go further. Doctors and other clinical people have a positive duty and obligation to speak out if they believe patient safety is being compromised. No ifs or buts. And if they want to raise concerns without going public as individuals they can go through their representative bodies. For example, last Friday I was meeting leaders of Pendle’s General Practitioners – the Local Medical Committee -and we had a frank exchange of views.” The MP added: “The whispering campaign must stop. The Lancashire Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has statutory responsibility for monitoring the local NHS and will be looking at the progress of the big changes in hospital provision at its next meeting on 23 September.” "I am asking that Committee formally to invite the Local Medical Committee and bodies representing hospital doctors and clinicians and to hear their views. I am sure the Lancashire Telegraph’s anonymous doctor would be welcome.” The MP concluded: “The changes to the local NHS must be driven by clinicians acting in the best interests of NHS patients.” The MP has said a second opinion on the changes to the local NHS – from doctors based outside East Lancashire and with no axe to grind – would be needed if people were to be reassured that patients’ interests were paramount.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 October 2008 20:17 )