Doctors worried about new clinics

Consultants will debate the new centres at their conference

A doctors' conference is set to hear concerns over fast-track surgery centres on Wednesday.

The British Medical Association's consultants conference will hear concerns over the quality of care the diagnostic and treatment centres offer.

Doctors say patients are also being moved onto DTC lists without their, or their doctor's, consent.

The conference will also hear how many hospitals have still not introduced the new NHS contract for consultants.

At the very least, patients should be given the choice Dr Robin Arnold, BMA consultants committee

DTCs will carry out non-urgent surgery on NHS patients, such as knee, hip and cataract operations.

Ministers hope they will help cut NHS waiting times.

Twenty-six NHS-run centres are already up and running, along with 20 privately-run centres which provide care for NHS patients.

Dr Robin Arnold, who is chairing the BMA conference, told BBC News Online: "There are a lot of concerns about the DTCs, such as over the quality of care and whether there are proper follow-up procedures.

"When patients have complications, it is unclear who is responsible for dealing with this."

'Making life difficult'

Dr Arnold, a psychiatrist at Southmeads Hospital in Bristol, added: "There is also an issue about patient choice. We have heard of managers, under instruction from government, moving people for surgery, without the patient's consent - without consulting them or the surgeon.

"At the very least, patients should be given the choice."

Doctors are also unhappy that their new contract, agreed with the government in February, has still not been fully implemented across England.

The BMA said in April that just one in four trusts has implemented the new contract although some are expected to agree job plans with consultants over the next two weeks.

Dr Arnold said implementation of the contract appeared to be patchy, and to depend on the attitude of the strategic health authority in the area.

"It seems to be making life very difficult. In the areas where it is going badly it is certainly reducing the goodwill and morale of consultants that is necessary to keep the service going."