SCOTLAND’s leading medical colleges have jointly written to Prime Minister Theresa May after she said in March the UK government would come up with a long-term plan for multi-year funding for the NHS.
The letter from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow – representing more than 50,000 medical professionals – seeks clarity over the NHS.
They want May to stick to her commitment to include NHS leaders, clinicians and other health experts in developing the long-term funding plan and want the UK Government to set up a working group involving the royal colleges, healthcare practitioners, patients, the public and politicians.
This group would be tasked with finding solutions to ease the pressures faced across the NHS and would be consulted on any multi-year funding settlement.
Professor Derek Bell, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said that multi-year funding would help address problems associated with annual “top-ups”, but added: “However, this cannot be accomplished without the knowledge and expertise of clinicians, health experts, and those leading the NHS.
“Our fellows and members are vastly experienced in developing healthcare solutions, and I would urge the Prime Minister to draw on their knowledge and expertise. It is vital that we create a culture where clinicians have the time to care, time to train, and time to research.”
President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, professor Michael Lavelle-Jones said: “Whilst we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement, we acknowledge that longer term planning will require input from a range of experts working within and alongside the NHS.”
Professor David Galloway, president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow added: “It’s only by working with clinicians and health experts that we can ensure that we have a fair funding package for the NHS, which addresses rising demand in the service. It’s in everyone’s interests that we get this process right.”
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