Fay
Sorry, in my rant mode I confused GMC and GPC in my posting.
Hoever our negotiators were clearly told of the administrative (and
computer) nightmare that the new contract would create - if by no-one else,
then by me. They ignored this information from IT experts - they did not
want to hear any negative criticism of the contract. What really got me, was
that when we attended roadshows about the new contract, it was not presented
in a balanced way - the GPC representatives there were selling/promoting the
new contract, and were quickly dismissive of any criticism of it. Is it any
wonder that the contract was voted in, particularly as it was sold to the
profession on the basis of get more money if you accept this contract, or
lose money if you don't? The option of renegotiating after going back to the
drawing board was instantly dismissed.
Make no bones about it, our leaders and negotiators were appraised by many
GPs of the serious flaws in the new contract - and they deliberately ignored
them. They sold out our profession - I expect the gongs will be forthcoming
shortly....
Laurie Miles
-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fay Wilson
Sent: 04 December 2004 12:17 pm
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [GP-UK] The "new" contract
Laurie
I don't think the people who agreed the new contract lied; they believed
(and believe) it and were confident it would bring resources into general
practice for better clinical practice. They didn't expect the cynical way
the NHS would apply it nor the fact that achieving these points at all costs
is a basic necessity rather than an option extra for many practices because
of the inadequacy of the basic GS funding.
Many people expressed reservations about the QOF but there is no getting
away from the fact that the docs voted heavily for it. The authorities are
heavily in favour of it as an information-gathering tool unique in the
world. I don't think it will now be unpicked whoever is voted in or out. In
fact it has been so successful in driving behaviour of doctors that it's
likely to be extended to include other conditions as soon as possible.
One of the effects of course is that patients' agendas (nasty old reactive
care) are on the back burner and relegated to "other healthcare
professionals", with pseudodoctors ("physician practitioners" - note the
misleading term for what in the US are called physician's assistants) being
brought in to appease the masses who can no longer get appointments to see
their doctors. We have seen the spillover results in out of hours already.
The public are also getting cheesed off with the lack of access to their GP
which may have the useful (for some) secondary effect of knocking them down
in the public esteem stakes.
NB The GMC is the outfit that strikes people off and the GPC is the one that
negotiates new contracts.
Fay
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