Medicine and Science from The BMJ
Phil Banfield on the British Medical Association's plan to support doctors
Mar 5, 2025
Phil Banfield, Chair of the British Medical Association's council and an obstetrician in North Wales, shares insights on the BMA's advocacy efforts. He discusses pressing issues like pay restoration and the need for more training posts for resident doctors. The conversation highlights the BMA's evolving strategy to empower local members, tackle NHS challenges, and navigate the complexities of medical negotiations. Additionally, they touch on the role of physician associates and the importance of modernizing industrial action to better represent medical professionals.
29:23
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Quick takeaways
- The BMA is actively addressing chronic underfunding and workforce planning issues to enhance doctors' working conditions and patient care standards.
- A focus on improving diversity and inclusion within the BMA aims to better represent its members and serve their concerns effectively.
Deep dives
Empowering Doctors and Addressing Mediocrity in Healthcare
The podcast highlights the ongoing struggle within the NHS to empower doctors and combat the mediocrity that has seeped into healthcare delivery. Many physicians feel that the system does not allow them to practice at the standards they were trained for, leading to a culture of acceptance around compromised patient care. Chronic underfunding has exacerbated these issues, resulting in poor performance expectations and a rise in waiting lists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the need for a collective stand from doctors to advocate for better conditions and reestablish high standards of patient care.
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