but I only found out by accident - they organised a workshop for managers
and clinicians at 2/52 notice - I happened to have taken annual leave (my
annual leave year was about to run out and I thought I'd try to take ALL of
my a/l for the first time ever as part of my protest about the problems I'm
having with the new consultants' contract negotiations) and so was the only
clinician there. There were of course the usual comments all the way through
about how clinicians couldn't be bothered to turn up for these kind of
meetings....
Lesley

-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ewan Davis
Sent: 28 October 2004 21:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Choose & Book - funding and other issues.


This is clearly some apparatchiks desperate attempt to hit the letter of
Tony's target without regard to reality. Give then a big dose of Harpiradol
and have nothing more to do with such nonsense.

Ewan Davis - Director - Woodcote Consulting
                      - Chairman - British Computer Society - Primary Health
Care Group

See our website at www.woodcote-consulting.com

[log in to unmask] Voice +44(0)1527 875340 DDI +44(0)1527 875341
Fax +44(0)1527 871196

-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley Kay
Sent: 28 October 2004 20:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Choose & Book - funding and other issues.

we've been told in our area that choose and book will have to be implemented
before there is any IT support for it...how will anybody be able to make
appointments remotely without knowing in real time when appointments will be
available, and which ones are already full?

also, could I ask people how far in advance they have to make their leave
arrangements or arrange meetings? We currently have to give 6 weeks' notice
to rearrange a clinic and have been told that under choose and book it's
likely to be 3 if not 6 months. A senior manager quoted his father's GP
practice as arranging all their days out of practice on January 1st. 2
things have arisen in our discussions in the department - firstly I bet all
of those partners were male and had wives at home who could do childcare,
and secondly that it isn't usual practice or indeed possible to get locums
to do any clinic you aren't present for. The main culprits locally are the
medical school and our own managers who arrange "mandatory" meetings at less
than 6 weeks' notice despite the current arrangements and are unlikely to
change.
Lesley



-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Dinesh Patel
Sent: 28 October 2004 16:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Choose & Book - funding and other issues.


Paul
Up here in Preston, the PCT has decided to be one of the early adopters.
However, when a demo was presented to the LMC, it went down like a lead
balloon. The main reason for resistance was the impact on GP/Staff time on
the additional work involveed in discussing options and so on.

I'm particulary concerned that this politically driven exercise is going to
be implemented with little or no funding for practices. The workload
implications in using choose & book are siginificant. There are additional
funds and staff for the Trusts but GP's who are central to this have not
been considered in the funding equation.

Through the LMC and PEC I'm determined that our case will be heard. If they
don't want to offer us funding then they may have to provide us with staff
to deal with the issues of choosing and booking. Despite this the GP who
makes the referral will still have to initiate the process and generate the
unique referral number.  Here it is suggested that we will have access to
the spine using a smart card/keyboard and of course this will not be linked
to our current systems !

Dinesh


-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of paul bromley
Sent: 28 October 2004 14:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Choose & Book - funding and other issues.

I have been asked by my new PCT if I would like to be the GP clinical lead
for Choose & Book. At the moment I do not know how much I want to be
involved - if at all. However, I did ask if there was any funding for GP
time, to which there was a long silence. I assume that there should be
adequate national funding for GPs taking on this role with the monies coming
down to PCT level.
Or are we expected to do it as a 'freebie' as usual. I did get very involved
with electronic referrals at a neghbouring PCT a couple of years ago, but
this was well funded - for a couple of years until they pulled the plug. On
that occasion there were positive benefits for GP practices, but it was an
uphillstruggle to get others on board. I think choose and book will be far
worse. As I say - not really sure how much I want to get involved or get my
practiuce involved at this stage. Thoughts of others - especially regarding
the funding issues??

Best wishes

Paul Bromley