Prof Finbarr Martin is the past President of the British Geriatrics Society, a Consultant Geriatrician at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Medical Gerontology (Hon), King’s College London
I must be one of many geriatricians increasingly concerned about the implications of the current health service changes on the services we can provide for older patients. Our aspiration is to provide reliable local quality services, with some semblance of integration – or at least coordination – between acute and community, and primary and secondary care.
Several areas in the country have made great strides in this direction and British Geriatrics Society members have been influential in the process. However progress is threatened by the government’s continued drive to competitive, piecemeal and price-based commissioning. Professional societies such as ours spoke against the Health and Social Care bill becoming law, but to no avail. The BMA has gone quiet.
British Geriatrics Society 