From: "Piers Longhorn" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 8:46 AM
> Is anyone being paid to provide this. If you're not being paid for it are
> you still doing the work?
> Our practice expressed interest in providing the service but the PCT
> declined to commission it as they felt there was adequate provision at a
> Minor Injuries Unit 5 miles away and A&E 6 miles away (although neither
has
> good transport links from here). Fair enough we thought and started
telling
> punters who turned up with minor injuries to attend MIU or A&E.
> Now the patients and town council are expressing concern and the PCT have
> implied that we should be seeing "basic" minor injuries (whatever that is)
> as a core service.
No NES here and out of 65 practices (biggest PCT in the country) only two
stopped doing it or so the PCT said - us and a megagroup with 25,000
patients. PCT brought in diddly LES with almost the same spec as the NES but
less money so we haven't signed up. Practice too busy QOFfing like mad. Most
ESs uneconomic compared with scoring points which translate into more money
next year as well.
We had the same stuff from our PCT who tried to round up the district nurses
against us. We of course have had an ultra professional approach to the
subject, give people standard advice on their options (NHS Direct, Walk-in
Centre or A&E - if not sure which then ring NHSD for advice); special
leaflet giving them the PALS number at the PCT if they have any problems.
You are in a strong position because the PCT have not commissioned the
service from you so you can wring your hands and agree with the town
council. You need to be prepared for them to offer you an uneconomic LES
which you then turn down; your justification will be that you have a duty to
provide all these other services in the QOF etc & the money on offer fro the
PCT won't actually pay for the MI service so you would have to take it away
from someone else & all the OPAs with diabetes would have to go to hospital
for their clinics (or whatever).
Go to it!
Fay
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