The Forum of the Medical Profession has demanded the establishment of a specific parliamentary intergroup that analyzes in depth the Draft Law of Framework Statute, in order to articulate "a state response" regarding the future of the profession and to reach shared solutions among all the involved actors.
According to its members, the process of drafting the regulation "has highlighted the need to continue working to achieve a broad consensus that allows for a response to the complexity and particularities of the medical profession." The Forum is represented by the General Council of Official Medical Colleges (CGCOM), the Federation of Scientific Medical Associations of Spain (FACME), the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM), the National Conference of Deans of Medical Schools (CNDFM), and the State Council of Medical Students (CEEM).
Representatives of these organizations have held a meeting in which they have requested "to open a new avenue of dialogue that allows for rapprochement" regarding the text sent to the Congress of Deputies. They propose that in this space participate the different political forces, public administrations, and professional, union, and scientific organizations, with the aim of reinforcing the technical and political debate.
The members of the Forum consider it essential "to address the issues that remain open with the aim of advancing towards a framework that can count on the greatest possible support from the medical profession," which is why they insist that, during the parliamentary processing, the draft law incorporates the main demands of the collective. In this sense, they demand that "the essential aspects that prevent direct communication" be corrected and warn that the regulation "should not advance in its current terms."
Impact on patient safety and the SNS
For the signing organizations, "a matter that directly affects patient safety, quality of care, and the sustainability of the National Health System (SNS) deserves a broad, transparent, and plural institutional debate, which complements and favors the necessary dialogue and negotiation with the representatives of the professionals." The ultimate purpose is "to build consensus and find solutions that reconcile the needs of professionals, patients, and the SNS."
In this line, the Forum of the Medical Profession demands "a space for representation and negotiation of its own where the specificities of the medical profession are addressed, such as working hours, on-call duties, professional responsibility, healthcare organization, human resources planning, loyalty, and recognition of the particularities of medical practice." In their view, the mentioned subjects "require responses capable of integrating the different existing perspectives and adequately recognizing the uniqueness of the profession."
Finally, after reiterating that it is necessary "to transform the existing differences into an opportunity for dialogue" with the aim of "reaching the greatest possible consensus on a framework that will condition the practice of the medical profession for years," the Forum urges all involved parties "to promote this meeting space and keep all necessary dialogue channels open to reach a widely shared agreement."