PETER FELLOWS wrote:
> 
> The SW Regional Association of LMCs met yesterday in Exeter. Cornwall
> in particular has a problem coping with the influx of TRs in summer.
> We are all very angry at the snub to GMSC with Alan Milburn refusing
> to allow TR payment for telephone advice. This not only flies in the
> face of common sense, and the changing style of out of hours care in
> particular,but it will pose numerous problems for both patients and
> doctors, and is a direct challenge to our negotiating strength. It is
> an insult to the profession.Members were unimpressed with the GMSC's
> advice on how we should now deal with the situation.  As the money is
> part of the pool, payment is merely a redistribution exercise anyway.
> The gauntlet has been thrown down, and the outcome will have much more
> significance for the future of GMSC as an effective negotiating body,
> than the issue itself may warrant. If we can't win on this one, then
> God help us!  Judging by the strenghth of feeling, UDI for the SW is a
> real possibility!
> 
>  There was unanimous agreement that all LMCs in the SW (
> Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset, both Devon LMCs, and Cornwall and
> Isles of Scilly) will submit a common motion to the LMC Conference to
> the effect that if the DoH refuses to allow payment for telephone
> advice to TRs, then GMSC will be  asked by Conference to advise all
> GPs to have no further involvement with the development of PCGs.
> 
> The interesting thing was that when this idea was proposed there
> seemed to be  excitement that we might have come up with a realistic
> way of empowering the profession to put the brakes on PCGs, regardless
> of the outcome over  telephone advice!
> 
> The SW will be looking for support from all over the UK. Please back
> us.
> 
> Perhaps it is indeed time for a  national ballot on the whole idea of
> cooperating with the White Paper, until such time as proper funding
> and security for GP income is gauranteed. I will suggest such a motion
> to my  LMC. Any other LMCs want to join in?
> 
> 
>                              Peter Fellows,
>              Chairman Gloucestershire LMC, SW Regional Representative,
> GMSC.
Will no one listen??? PLEASE?  We don't need this problem about TR
telphone advice to give us an excuse to stop playing PCGs.  We could and
should have refused staight away. PCGs are already fostering a climate
of paranoia mistrust and fear.  How can we think straight let alone
creatively in such a climate.  Why don't we think about what is good for
patients and present our alternative realistic and possible proposal?  

Yomi



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