Private medical cover to provide alternative to NHS following BMA chief's comments?

The NHS will be "tested to the limit" in 2011, the head of the British Medical Association (BMA) has said in comments that may persuade some to seek private medical cover as an alternative.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA Council, criticised government plans to shake up the NHS in his New Year message.

In particular, he said plans to implement a large-scale organisational restructuring coupled with huge financial pressure could be dangerous for the public health service.

The government's White Paper published in the summer will see primary care trusts and strategic health authorities abolished, while at the same time, the coalition wants to see efficiency savings of £20 billion made over the coming years.

"Set against a backdrop of an unprecedented financial challenge, with efficiency savings of at least £20 billion being sought in England alone, the government is pushing ahead, at break-neck speed, with an unnecessarily ambitious programme of reform in England," he said.

"2011 will be a defining year - one in which the NHS will be tested to the limit."

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