RCGP says that reform of primary care trusts must deliver better patient care, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 31 Jul 2005 - 3:00 PDT

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The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) welcomes the Department of Health's programme on Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS.

The College feels that the health service as it is currently organised is not working as well as it should, and agrees that rationalisation of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) is required.

The RCGP is therefore calling for the Department of Health to involve and consult GPs in local debates about reconfiguration of PCTs, but urges that any future reorganisation should not detract from patient care and service delivery. GPs have a track record of innovation and service improvement, so it makes sense for commissioning power and budgets to be allocated to practices.

Dr Mayur Lakhani, Chairman of the RCGP, said: "I welcome this announcement which will transfer the balance of power to frontline clinical staff such as GPs and nurses. However, reconfiguration should not be seen as an end in itself. The real issues here are improving health, better services for patients and support for GPs."

The Royal College of General Practitioners is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and to act as the "voice" of GPs on issues concerned with education; training; research; and clinical standards. Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 22,500 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline.

Promoting excellence in family medicine http://www.rcgp.org.uk

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