Good For Primary Care. Good For For NHS Patients

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Oct 2007 - 18:00 PDT

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Health Minister Lord Darzi's report on the future of the NHS marks a good day for primary care. That makes it a good day for NHS patients too.

The announcement of additional funding to support shifting care closer to home is particularly welcome. Enabling GP practices to open for longer hours or on Saturday mornings will help patients in many areas. Investing in new GP services for under-doctored inner city areas will make it possible those who are not presently registered with a GP to access a local surgery.

However none of these must be allowed to become tick box exercises. In the past, an over-simplified approach has meant that national targets have been met without making a positive difference to patient care. That must not be repeated. The NHS Alliance welcomes the emphasis on PCTs and GP practices coming up with their own local solutions.

The NHS Alliance will do all in its power to make sure that decisions are locally determined, and that GP practices, all local clinicians and their patients are involved in deciding what happens in their own areas. What is right for Birmingham, for instance, may be very different from what is right in Cumbria or Devon. The important thing is to use this strategy to deliver the very best for local needs.

Where it is proposed to allow commercial services to tender for new services, that must be alongside existing GP practices and in consultation with the public locally. It is also critical that there is a level playing field for all.

NHS Alliance chairman Dr Michael Dixon, who will serve on Lord Darzi's primary care advisory board, said:

"Lord Darzi has given general practice a resounding vote of confidence. There is no threat to the traditional GP and the doctor-patient relationship from improving access and making sure doctors are available for everyone in inner city areas. On the contrary, that demonstrates that the government recognises the value of general practice. "Now GPs and primary care trusts must together start planning for a future where patients are at the centre of all our decisions - and where local communities and patients are properly involved in planning the services they need."

1. The NHS Alliance is the independent body that represents primary care. Its membership includes PCTs, GP practices and other primary care organisations, alongside individual clinicians, managers and non-executives. Its multi-professional base means it is the only organisation that can bring PCTs and practices together. It has twelve active professional networks for PEC chairs, practice based commissioners, senior managers and non-executives, and more.

2. Dr Michael Dixon has accepted an invitation from Lord Darzi to join a new primary care advisory board that will include GPs, community nurses and other health and care professionals.

http://www.nhsalliance.org