BMA issues warning over publishing individual consultants’ results

The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that the adoption of a new model of publishing performance data on individual consultants within the NHS could carry numerous risks.

As the University Hospital of South Manchester becomes the first trust to implement this new system, the association highlighted the complexities involved in such a setup, adding that South Manchester will prove to be a revealing test case.

For example, such feedback must take into account that some consultants take on higher risk cases, leading to raised mortality rates, while many patients will have multiple health problems, thus increasing the likelihood of complications.

Moreover, because patient experiences are highly subjective, so too will be the feedback they provide, meaning it could be difficult for this method to generate data that is useful and relevant.

Dr Paul Flynn, chair of the BMA's consultants committee, said: "It is critical that any information provided is accurate and in context – if not, it will be misleading and cause unnecessary anxiety to patients."

Earlier this month, the association launched a new campaign that aims to ensure that the real-world implications of the government's NHS reform programme are more clearly communicated to patients.