This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Service charges have ‘destabilising’ effect on GPs
Excessive rises in service charges are having a destabilising effect on GP practices - and doctors leaders have pledged to take action to protect services and patient care.
British Medical Association (BMA) research found that one GP practice faced an increase in fees of almost £100,000, but NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships (CHP) have been unwilling to engage with GP representatives to tackle the problem.
As a result of the impasse doctors leaders have written to practices seeking information on the issues affecting them and have issued a Freedom of Information request to NHSPS in a bid to create much-needed transparency on the issue.
Richard Vautrey, BMA GPs committee chair, said: “The BMA has been attempting to resolve the escalating number of complaints from GP practices about excessive and erratic rises in service charges.
“It is concerned that unfair or incorrect rises could divert funding from frontline care and is having a destabilising effect on practices.
“Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, we have had no clear reassurance from NHSPS or CHP which explains why these issues have emerged or a commitment to resolve them.”
A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said: “We do not recognise the figure quoted. In many cases there has been no significant change in the total amount we have invoiced on a property. Changes to local subsidy arrangements by commissioners mean that some GPs are receiving bills for their own costs which were previously met by other NHS bodies.
“We will continue to work positively with the BMA, GP practices, commissioners and NHS England on this issue.”
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