BMA confirms speakers for NHS crisis conference in May

An emergency BMA conference in May to discuss solutions to the funding and workforce crisis across the UK health service will hear from a series of top NHS speakers, the union has confirmed.

The special representative meeting, to be held in London on Tuesday 3 May, will discuss plummeting morale among doctors and how best to protect the future of patient care.

Speakers revealed for the event will include president of the World Medical Association Sir Michael Marmot, who will speak about 'demand, drivers and the impact of austerity'.

NHS funding crisis

Nuffield Trust chief executive Nigel Edwards will speak about the NHS funding crisis, and the conference will also hear from chairwoman of Healthwatch England Anna Bradley and Royal College of Physicians president Professor Jane Dacre.

BMA chairman Dr Mark Porter said: ‘Doctors from across the UK have called on the BMA to hold a meeting in response to the crisis in funding and capacity in healthcare, and the effect these have on both patient safety and doctors’ ability to help patients.

‘At a time of unprecedented pressures on healthcare and on those who deliver it, it is time to hear from doctors about the evidence-based solutions needed to protect high quality patient care. This will be an opportunity for doctors to highlight their concerns and outline the necessary solutions.’