Commenting on the launch of the consultation for a Local Healthcare Bill, Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:

“Encouraging greater involvement and promoting effective governance are both laudable aims for the Scottish Government. The BMA supports greater public involvement but remains unconvinced that direct elections to NHS Boards will deliver the desired outcomes.

“The current system that NHS Boards are using to consult is not working, the public is not happy about decisions that are being made and they don’t feel that their views are being taken into account. However, whether or not direct elections are introduced, NHS boards will still have a duty to consult the public on service changes and independent scrutiny will take place.

“Instead of looking at unnecessary legislation, the focus of this consultation should be on how Boards can improve their own consultation processes and communicate better with the public rather than the introduction of expensive elections that divert much needed NHS funding away from patient care.”