On 03/19/98 10:36:48, "abayomi.mcewen" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>WE are all talking as if only GPS will be voting. Surely all the other
>professions ( pharmacsists social workers etc)and patients will be
>represented on 'the management board' whatever that will be. It will be
>a very politacal lifestyle lobbying all those to think and vote like
>you against your 'big' colleagues. THere are many ways of skinnin a
>chicken and you are very crearive Ahmad have some fun with the new
>systyem! We're all talking as though it's all set in stone while we
>only have a statement of intent at the moment.
No, Yomi. We do not have just a 'statement of intent', we have a
fully blown 'intent with aforethought'. A statement of indecent would
read: "we intend to do this, what do you all think?"
What we have is a very advanced stage of formation. Some PCGS have even
elected their 'Executive'. Legislation will be before parliament soon.
The date of April 1999 is already in Health Service Circulars.
I do not call all that just a 'statement of intent'.
The other point I wish to make is this:
We would be seriously kidding ourselves if anybody thought that these
Groups and their 'Boards' were not dominated by the GPs. In my area,
*all* discussions have been with GPs only. I wonder what other areas
are doing? I know that there are groups who are talking with other
constituencies, however, history tells us that the bottom line is
this:
In the Surgery, the patient wants to see 'the doctor'. This may be
changing, nevertheless, it is still a very powerful embedded cultural
trait. Inevitably, much of the PCG work will be doctor driven. It's
just the way the cookie crumbles!
I am not debating here the merits or otherwise of that. It may even be
awfully politically incorrect to speak in those terms. I am merely
observing and describing.
The fact remains: for me, as solo GP, to influence the decision
making process, I shall *always* have to work much harder. I submit
that this is morally and ethically wrong.
Ahmad
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Dr Ahmad Risk
http://www.cybermedic.org
Chairman British Healthcare Internet Association <http://www.bhia.org>
Director Internet Healthcare Coalition - USA <http://www.ihc.net>
Home: +44 1273 724866/748198
Work: +44(1737)240022 Fax: +44 1737 244660
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