20-Jun-08
The House of Lords ruling that declared immigration changes for international medical graduates (IMGs) to be unlawful should serve as a lesson to the authorities.
The changes were a political gimmick in response to the looming jobcrisis resulting from poor workforce planning, job cuts and the MMCfiasco.
Hundreds of families were uprooted, and many left the country with theircareer hopes dashed and drowning in debt.
Some had to compromise on their training, which is unheard of forBritish graduates. This second-class treatment meted out to non-EUgraduates did little to help the situation. Instead, it created anatmosphere of distrust and uncertainty for IMGs.
What's more, the DoH did not try to negotiate an amicable solution andkept appealing until it could do nothing more.
On the positive side, the fight helped IMGs to demonstrate unity and putup symbolic resistance to unfair and abrupt changes. No one disagreedthat the system needed regulation but the way it was done was shamefulfor a developed country that has always stood for its values.
I now think twice before even medium-term commitments as I may wake upand find that I have been asked to leave the country because the ruleshave changed.
Dr Kamal Sidhu, High Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Friday, 13 June 2008
Health Secretary accuses BMA of misleading on Polyclincis
Whom does public trust?
13 June 2008
kamal Sidhu, GP Sunderland
Send response to journal: Re: Whom does public trust?
Remarks made by the health secretary are entirely inappropriate for the situation and least expected to help the situation. Time and again, it has been shown that the public trust in politicians is hardly of any standing when compared to how much trust they have in their doctor.We as doctors are more than four times more trustworthy. There is no evidence behind the proposed changes. Patients do not want it.Doctors do not want it.I fail to understand how many of the surgeries will not close.Nobody wants it. At this crucial time when NHS is undergoing sea change(almost all of them controversial and embarked upon without taking on board, the profession itself), we do expect invitation to engage rather than alienating the profession further. It seems that government has simply been baffled by public response.I feel there is more to come. No one disagrees that access needs to be improved but this is not certainly the way forward. When dreams are alike, why take different tracks.But,who listens.
Competing interests: I am a GP offended by accustaions.
13 June 2008
kamal Sidhu, GP Sunderland
Send response to journal: Re: Whom does public trust?
Remarks made by the health secretary are entirely inappropriate for the situation and least expected to help the situation. Time and again, it has been shown that the public trust in politicians is hardly of any standing when compared to how much trust they have in their doctor.We as doctors are more than four times more trustworthy. There is no evidence behind the proposed changes. Patients do not want it.Doctors do not want it.I fail to understand how many of the surgeries will not close.Nobody wants it. At this crucial time when NHS is undergoing sea change(almost all of them controversial and embarked upon without taking on board, the profession itself), we do expect invitation to engage rather than alienating the profession further. It seems that government has simply been baffled by public response.I feel there is more to come. No one disagrees that access needs to be improved but this is not certainly the way forward. When dreams are alike, why take different tracks.But,who listens.
Competing interests: I am a GP offended by accustaions.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Changes in General Practice
Is it the beginning of the demise ?
10 June 2008
kamal Sidhu, General Practitioner Sunderland
Send response to journal: Re: Is it the beginning of the demise ?
A debate on the most of the issues raised by the authors is the need of the hour.Whereas, the politicians are eager to be seen to be doing something with NHS, the medical profession stands disunited and disgruntled.
Within the last three years since I joined General Practice, its face has changed beyond recognition. Continuity of care is no longer a priority.'Cradle to grave' attitude has given way to one-stop service with the rather forced idea of polyclinics.
Miscalculations on behalf of government that resulted in significant pay rises for GPs are apparently being compensated by back door initiatives like extended hours in form of 'less damaging option A'.
Pace of the change is too fast resulting in all time low morale of the front line staff. Negative media spin about 'massive' rise in GP earnings coupled with problems with patient access had already pushed the GPs against the wall.Of course, it was the ideal time for the government to bring in its agenda of extended opening hours on its own terms, the threat of private care providers and Darji Polyclinics(even if evidence backs the contrary)
Job prospects for newly qualified GPs have dwindled and with hardly any partnerships available which is another issue the profession needs to debate amongst itself. While most will agree that patient access needs to be improved and some of the services can be moved closer to patient home,Is this the right way forward.There is a clear conflict between patient, doctor and Government agenda. Can a disheartened and disappointed GP provide quality care? Do the patients want any of the drastic changes being forced upon the profession? What is the long term future of NHS and its backbone, the primary care? Are we moving away from a health system which provides guaranteed health care to a system which is more consumer driven and a profit making organisation?
Only time will provide all the answers but one thing is for certain that if remedial steps are not taken soon,it may well be the beginning of demise of NHS.
Competing interests: I am a newly qualified GP.
10 June 2008
kamal Sidhu, General Practitioner Sunderland
Send response to journal: Re: Is it the beginning of the demise ?
A debate on the most of the issues raised by the authors is the need of the hour.Whereas, the politicians are eager to be seen to be doing something with NHS, the medical profession stands disunited and disgruntled.
Within the last three years since I joined General Practice, its face has changed beyond recognition. Continuity of care is no longer a priority.'Cradle to grave' attitude has given way to one-stop service with the rather forced idea of polyclinics.
Miscalculations on behalf of government that resulted in significant pay rises for GPs are apparently being compensated by back door initiatives like extended hours in form of 'less damaging option A'.
Pace of the change is too fast resulting in all time low morale of the front line staff. Negative media spin about 'massive' rise in GP earnings coupled with problems with patient access had already pushed the GPs against the wall.Of course, it was the ideal time for the government to bring in its agenda of extended opening hours on its own terms, the threat of private care providers and Darji Polyclinics(even if evidence backs the contrary)
Job prospects for newly qualified GPs have dwindled and with hardly any partnerships available which is another issue the profession needs to debate amongst itself. While most will agree that patient access needs to be improved and some of the services can be moved closer to patient home,Is this the right way forward.There is a clear conflict between patient, doctor and Government agenda. Can a disheartened and disappointed GP provide quality care? Do the patients want any of the drastic changes being forced upon the profession? What is the long term future of NHS and its backbone, the primary care? Are we moving away from a health system which provides guaranteed health care to a system which is more consumer driven and a profit making organisation?
Only time will provide all the answers but one thing is for certain that if remedial steps are not taken soon,it may well be the beginning of demise of NHS.
Competing interests: I am a newly qualified GP.
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