The NHS executive has just issued a directive encouraging health authorities to
set up mechanisms to approve applications from GPs to become providers of
secondary care and be paid for it.
I have applied to the health authority to become a provider of secondary care
for diabetic patients. I run an annual review clinic for our 230 NIDDMs. This
takes about 2 hours a week. Many GPs already do this but traditionally it is the
province of hospitals. I feel that the service I provide is an improvement on
hospital care. The patient is seen in familiar and relatively friendly !
surroundings by the same doctor every time. This work lies outside GMS so I have
asked to be allowed to pay myself from our fundholding budget for the work. I
have yet to get a reply ! but I am hopeful :-)
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has got their health authority to
allow them to be paid for providing secondary care.
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