From: "Iain Hotchkies" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Funny, innit?
A sweeping generalisation, I guess, but it strikes me that GPs have been
struggling for years to shed the OOH workload. Always, though, the
powers-that-be (TM) would play the professional responsibility card (or
similar). Now that non-doctors are in charge of OOH the notion that a doctor
needs to be available 24/7 seems to have been dropped like a steaming turd.
This, from the BBC news website...
Patients denied GP out-of-hours
<snip>
Dr Mike Dixon
In a statement, the Department of Health said: "It is for the PCT to
organise suitable out-of-hours services, and this should include appropriate
access to GPs.
"The Department will shortly be setting out new national standards that will
clarify and put beyond doubt the importance of securing proper involvement
of GPs in delivering those services."
*********************
Mike Dixon is correct; the new standards will make it clear that no-one will
be able to run a GP-free service. This has caused alarm high up the food
chain and TPTB are not having it.
Mind you the hypocrisy of these NHS managers who for years have been
sneering at GPs for not wanting to spend buckets of money on luxury standard
OOH services takes the breath away.
--
Fay
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