This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Local GP leaders provisionally back new GP contract
The General Practitioners Committee (GPC) criticised the new contracts and has labelled it a ‘distraction’. However, local leaders have contended that they are interested in surveying the positive opportunities that might be provided by the new contracts. Some local discussions have involved considering signing up to the deal when there is ‘meat on the bone’.
Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed few details about the contract but has said that practices who sign up to it will no longer be subject to ‘box ticking and form filling’.
The Department for Health (DH) has confirmed that payments will no longer be linked to the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) for practices. However the Health Secretary has counselled that they are likely to still need to record QOF indicators.
Through the voluntary scheme, practices will be expected to grow through merging or federating to a list of at least 30,000 patients and will be required to provide routine weekend and evening access.
Dr Mohammed Jiva, CEO of Rochdale and Bury LMC, said: “[It was] discussed earlier this week with my LMC who are supportive of exploring the opportunities this might bring from a voluntary contract.
“We are in discussion with other LMCs across Greater Manchester to work in collaboration to explore what a voluntary contract could look like and gaining support from GPC to engage in the process.’
Dr Jiva added: “Until there is 'meat on bone' there is little reason to close the door without exploring the offer.”
Dr Uzma Ahmed, assistant medical secretary of Walsall LMC and a member of the GPC education and training subcommittee, said such a contract could be beneficial, so long as smaller practices are given time and necessary support to merge.
She said: “I feel personally that this is one of the ways forward for general practice. However, it is not possible until it is properly resourced and the workforce issues are addressed.
“If all these things are addressed, then this is something that can be positively addressed. There are opportunities for bigger practices."
However, Dr Philip Fielding, chair of Gloucestershire LMCs, warned that the new contract will put smaller practices further at risk.
He said: “A new voluntary contract with strings attached may be the equivalent of exchanging one set of chains for another as we are thrown back into the sea as too insignificant to matter.”
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