Patients last?

The consultants in the South West Surrey District Health Authority are totally opposed to the cuts in acute services that they are expected to sustain. During their campaign against the cuts the consultant from the acute unit management team has spoken at three meetings of the district health authority. The editor and health reporter of the local newspaper have been kept informed and there have been interviews on local radio. The Confederation of Health Service Employers and the BMA have campaigned jointly against the cuts, obtained signatures from members of the public, and produced a pamphlet. The petition has been sent to local members of parliament. We have met the two local members of parliament and a member of the opposition health committee. We are also seeking a meeting with a senior member of the Cabinet. A poster display showing the effects of the cuts in 10 years' time was mounted at a district health authority meeting and the consultants lobbied members before their meeting on the strategic plan. Finally, a document entitled Patients last? was compiled by Dr Julian Leigh on behalf of and with the aid of his consultant colleagues. This was submitted to the district health authority and circulated widely to senior politicians and the local media. An abbreviated version of this paper is reproduced here.