Arm Twisting

Shiny shiny things   

The Medical Royal Colleges are in a situation where they can significantly affect the future of the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill. They will be releasing a consensus statement today in their guise as the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

Already we have the Surgeons getting cold feet, and also I receive reports of the Physicians and the Obstetricians/Gynaecologists considering their positions.

I understand that the colleges are reconsidering, following "heavy lobbying" from Andrew Lansley, the Secretary of State for Health. Lobbying consists of carrots and sticks - offers and threats - enticement and bullying.

A row of beans

The offer is concessions on aspects of the Bill. We know that this will largely be cosmetic, and the shiny shiny concessions will be taken up by the more pliant or venal in the Royal Colleges.  "Oooh look! Shiny shiny concessions!" We all know that they will only amount to a row of beans.

What threats does a Secretary of State have for these organisations? Reduction in funding? Questioning their charity status? Threats of lack of preferment?

If the Surgeons, Physicians and Obs/Gynae people refuse to stand up to the evisceration of the NHS by the Government, can we at least know the reasons?

The proper reasons.