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Political parties using NHS to win votes, poll suggests Political parties using NHS to win votes, poll suggests
(about 14 hours later)
Nearly three quarters of the public believe the political parties are designing health policy to win votes, and not what is best for the NHS, a poll has suggested.Nearly three quarters of the public believe the political parties are designing health policy to win votes, and not what is best for the NHS, a poll has suggested.
The survey of almost 2,000 people in the UK found 73% were sceptical about the motivation of politicians.The survey of almost 2,000 people in the UK found 73% were sceptical about the motivation of politicians.
One in four also said they were dissatisfied with the way the NHS was being run.One in four also said they were dissatisfied with the way the NHS was being run.
The survey was commissioned by the British Medical Association (BMA).The survey was commissioned by the British Medical Association (BMA).
The poll carried out by Ipsos Mori also found two-thirds wanted the NHS to manage itself without the involvement of politicians.The poll carried out by Ipsos Mori also found two-thirds wanted the NHS to manage itself without the involvement of politicians.
Another 46% also said politicians should have low or no involvement in how the NHS is run.Another 46% also said politicians should have low or no involvement in how the NHS is run.
That was one of the aims of the reforms introduced by Andrew Lansley when he was health secretary.That was one of the aims of the reforms introduced by Andrew Lansley when he was health secretary.
But commentators have noted that since Jeremy Hunt has replaced him there has been a push to retain a much more hands-on approach.But commentators have noted that since Jeremy Hunt has replaced him there has been a push to retain a much more hands-on approach.
'Manipulated''Manipulated'
BMA leader Dr Mark Porter, speaking ahead of the four-day conference which gets under way in Harrogate later, said: "The government promised to remove micromanagement from the NHS and yet the opposite has happened. The poll was released at the start of the BMA's annual conference, which is being held in Harrogate.
BMA leader Dr Mark Porter said: "The government promised to remove micromanagement from the NHS and yet the opposite has happened.
"There are even claims that NHS England, set up to be independent of Whitehall, is being manipulated for political purposes.""There are even claims that NHS England, set up to be independent of Whitehall, is being manipulated for political purposes."
He also mentioned a key policy put forward by Labour - the pledge to offer GP appointments within 48 hours - adding: "Patient care is taking a back seat to scoring points over the dispatch box."He also mentioned a key policy put forward by Labour - the pledge to offer GP appointments within 48 hours - adding: "Patient care is taking a back seat to scoring points over the dispatch box."
Dr Porter said "doctors want to see politics taken out of the NHS once and for all", saying it was "clear that the public feel the same way".Dr Porter said "doctors want to see politics taken out of the NHS once and for all", saying it was "clear that the public feel the same way".
"Yes, politicians should be accountable for the running of the NHS, but when it comes to decisions of patient care it is time to allow doctors to do what they do best - lead the delivery of high quality patient care," he added. He went on to accuse the government of wasting money on "untested policies" and promised doctors would continue to "fight" for what was right for the NHS in the lead up to the election.
Both the government and Labour party defended their approaches.Both the government and Labour party defended their approaches.
Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Our reforms cut unnecessary red tape and gave doctors and nurses, who know their patients best, the power and freedom to make decisions in the best best interests of their local community." Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Our reforms cut unnecessary red tape and gave doctors and nurses, who know their patients best, the power and freedom to make decisions in the best interests of their local community."
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Labour said access to GPs was a real problem and its plans, which include additional funding, were a "serious" attempt to improve services.Meanwhile, a spokesman for Labour said access to GPs was a real problem and its plans, which include additional funding, were a "serious" attempt to improve services.