The Downing St Health Summit And What The Medical Profession Should Do Now

We have seen a new development in the Health Bill saga with the Prime Minister calling an Emergency Health Summit at Downing St to discuss 'implementing the Bill' in a few days time. Soon after the announcement it became clear that most of the key players in the NHS have not been invited. These include the RCGP, BMA, Royal College of Radiologists, the RCN and possibly others – all those who have spoken out publicly about how the Bill will damage the NHS irrevocably.

This hurriedly arranged meeting smacks of a coalition government in panic mode and an attempt to divide the medical profession. It is a desperate last minute attempt to seek support from some sectors of the medical profession and push through this unwanted Health Bill come what may. This is a political manoeuvre and shows quite blatantly what happens if you stand up for your beliefs and speak out against an ill thought out government policy.

It is vital that the medical profession shows solidarity in the face of this attempt to divide and rule. An umbrella organisation - the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges - oversees the interests of all Medical Royal Colleges. They should, along with individual Medical Royal Colleges speak out and boycott this Summit and stand together as a profession. We should say 'NO – we do not agree with your Bill and we do not want to play political games with you'. 

Doctors want to protect the NHS and are the genuine voice for our patients. 

If you are a member of a Medical Royal College please send two quick emails - one to your own College President and also one to the Chairman of the Academy, Professor Sir Neil Douglas suggesting they should publicly call for all Medical Royal Colleges to boycott this Summit. This will send a clear message that we will not partake in a blatant attempt to divide the medical profession and push through an unwanted and damaging Health Bill.

Here are the email addresses to click and send a message calling on the Academy and your College.

Academy of Medical Colleges      neil.douglas@aomrc.org.uk    Chair - Professor Sir Neil Douglas

Royal College of Physicians         Richard.Thompson@rcplondon.ac.uk  - President 
Royal College of Surgeons           abennett@rcseng.ac.uk  - chief executive Mr A Bennett
                                                                   n.s.williams@qmul.ac.uk - President Prof Norman Williams
Royal College of GPs                  president@rcgp.org.uk
Royal College of Radiologists       president@rcr.ac.uk
Royal College of O&G                 president@rcog.org.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists     reception@rcpsych.ac.uk
Royal College of Paediatrics        t.stephenson@ucl.ac.uk - President Prof Stephenson
Royal College of Pathologists      president@rcpath.org
Royal College of Anaesthetists    president@rcoa.ac.uk 
Faculty of Public Health              president@fph.org.uk
College of Emergency Medicine  mc.prescem@gmail.com  President - Mr Mike Clancy
Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Health President -   dhalfnight@fsrh.org 

Thank you for your support.