BMA refuses to sign minister's statement

The British Medical Association has refused to sign a statement on the development of team-working in the National Health Service, initiated by the health secretary Alan Milburn.

After several revisions, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Council of Heads of Medical Schools and the Councils of Deans of Nursing have all signed up. A BMA spokesperson said: "We do not see that the statement serves any particular purpose as the BMA supports such initiatives anyway."