Pawns or Scapegoats Jeff, they are going through hell at the moment. I would
imagine that being hauled up before the GMC is something that one would not
relish. As for 'GP's taking responsibility for what they sign?' - signing
Cremation Forms has not improved one iota. What are we to do though - all
refuse to sign and allow a Cremation backlog to form? We are now asked to
speak to nursing staff or relatives of those involved - the latter can open
up a can of worms - especially if they have a grudge against GP involved.
If they want to really tighten up on this one then get PCTs to appoint an
independent Cremation form certifier and signer - but it will cost them Nice
to hear on the news tonight that most felt the GPs were not at fault and
that it would serve no useful purpose for GPs or patients.
Best wishes
Paul Bromley
-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Green
Sent: 31 August 2004 18:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Shipman Fallout.
Paul,
Hang about - what happened to all this talk about GP's taking
responsibility for what they sign?
Surely they GMC has no real option but to hear the charges?
Hopefully they will also see the reality - that there is probably no case to
answer - that the fault lies with the current
system and the demands it makes.
As a pharmacist I don't think I would have questioned his prescriptions - I
certainly didn't have any idea of the dose for
treating MI - (I don't actually treat that many - OK any - in community
pharmacy) and would have been satisfied that the
legal requirements for the script/signed order had been met by having a
dose/indication.
Yes I do feel sympathy for the GP's going through this - but if the GMC
reaches the seemingly obvious conclusion that they
are not at fault then it does represent some significant pressure to have
the system changed.
It's high profile and represents a political opportunity for change - at the
moment the GP's are pawns in the process - I
sincerely hope they do not become scapegoats.
Regards
Jeff
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