The NHS Consultants' Association

NHS CONSULTANTS’ ASSOCIATION (NHSCA) - INFORMATION 2007

THE ASSOCIATION is the only NHS professional medical organisation concerned with the interests of the NHS and the public it serves and not with those of the people who serve the NHS. It concerns itself with the interests of doctors, nurses and other NHS personnel only to the extent that they affect the Service performance and public welfare. Often these are congruent but when not, the NHSCA will always act in the interests of the service. In this way it differs from other medical organisations which primarily represent staff interests. It is therefore not aligned with any political party or trade union.

NHSCA

• Was formed in 1976 by consultants with strong commitment to the NHS and its founding principles
• Believes in planning and cooperation rather than market forces and commercial competition
• Functions as a nationwide pressure group covering all specialties
• Aims to present the facts and arguments to the public and to the profession using national and local media
• Presents factual analysis and proposals based thereon to politicians of all parties and to other organisations
• Works with any group that shares its objectives
• Welcomes to the membership all consultants and associate specialists. Specialist registrars are welcomed as Associate Members

WE BELIEVE THE NHS IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY HEALTH CARE ORGANISATION THAT HAS SHOWN ITSELF ABLE TO-

• Provide comprehensive clinical cover and health protection for the whole population
• Remove fear that illness will result in treatment that cannot be afforded
• Provide established and innovative solutions for all types of health problem
• Plan services that can spread facilities and skills appropriately across geographical areas
• Respond to clinical need rather than commercial interest
• Promote clinical effectiveness and equity with no second class provision
• Function as a comprehensive training organization unrestricted by profit motivation
• Pursue preventative strategies such as immunisation, public information and screening

WERE IT TO BECOME FURTHER ERODED, IT WOULD BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RECREATE

It is the world's greatest ever example of a population wanting to provide care for the sick and exemplifies the ethos of civilised society setting an example worldwide.

OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO -

• Restore the NHS as a publicly funded, publicly provided and publicly accountable service
• Secure fair access to health services based on needs not wants.
• Promote professional and public involvement in evidence based planning of health care services.
• Highlight current problems and controversies faced by the NHS and suggest solutions to them.
• Help consultants to engage with policy making and management

OUR METHODS ARE TO -

• Meet with key politicians, decision makers and opinion formers offering the views of senior professionals, whose priority is the interests of the public and who represent those working with patients in all specialties and areas.
• Present key information and arguments to the public using local and national media and parliamentary questions
• Commission or sponsor reports into principal areas of NHS policy
• Stimulate members to contribute their views and articulate experiences
• Hold an annual conference open to all members and regular committee meetings
• Seek representation on the Executive Committee from each specialty and geographical area
• Keep colleagues informed with a regular Newsletter to assist debate and report activity