The British Medical Association
Clause 1(5e) requires doctors to consider the “opinions or requests expressed by colleagues whose opinions appear to the doctor to be appropriate to take into account”. The BMA has a number of concerns with this clause. As it only requires a doctor to “consider” such views it raises the possibility that he or she could ignore the views of colleagues who might vehemently disagree that the proposed course of action was justified. It also allows doctors to consult whomever they believe to be appropriate, which could in reality just be colleagues who agree with their viewpoint, arguably making the process redundant and offering no protection to patients. As footnote 9 in the consultation document acknowledges, there is no requirement that these colleagues are medical colleagues. This could mean that a doctor could ask any colleague for their opinion, irrespective of their training, impartiality or relationship with the doctor, and meet this requirement in the Bill.
Medical Innovation Bill Saatchi Bill
2014-06-03T23:19:31+01:00
Clause 1(5e) requires doctors to consider the “opinions or requests expressed by colleagues whose opinions appear to the doctor to be appropriate to take into account”. The BMA has a number of concerns with this clause. As it only requires a doctor to “consider” such views it raises the possibility that he or she could ignore the views of colleagues who might vehemently disagree that the proposed course of action was justified. It also allows doctors to consult whomever they believe to be appropriate, which could in reality just be colleagues who agree with their viewpoint, arguably making the process redundant and offering no protection to patients. As footnote 9 in the consultation document acknowledges, there is no requirement that these colleagues are medical colleagues. This could mean that a doctor could ask any colleague for their opinion, irrespective of their training, impartiality or relationship with the doctor, and meet this requirement in the Bill.
https://stopthesaatchibill.co.uk/testimonials/the-british-medical-association-3/