On Thu 18 Jun, Ahmad Risk wrote:

> Without revealing sources, this is the press release that the GMSC
> has issued today.
> 
> Make your own conclusion.
> 
> Me?  That horrific and sickening feeling that I have been sold down
> the river yet again.

But Ahmad, how can you draw any conclusion from this? It doesn't
actually say anything.

I'd like to see some detail, e.g. the minister's letter of 17 June,
before jumping to conclusions.


Trims.


-- 
Dr Ian Trimble                        http://www.sherwood.demon.co.uk/
Sherwood Health Centre              
Elmswood Gardens                                 Tel: +44 115 962 4516
Nottingham     NG5 4AD                           Fax: +44 115 985 7899



> ----------------------------------------------
> 
> GMSC SUPPORTS NEW GUARANTEES ON PRIMARY CARE GROUPS
> 
> The BMA's General Medical Services Committee, which represents all
> NHS general practitioners, today wholeheartedly supported the
> substantial progress made in negotiations with the Government on
> "The New NHS". It considered that the proposals outlined in a letter
> from Alan Milburn (17 June) formed an acceptable basis for GPs to
> progress their involvement with Primary Care Groups. This was a
> response to the letter (5 May) from Dr John Chisholm, the
> Committee's chairman, which identified the key concerns of general
> practitioners which had to be addressed before they would be
> reassured it was safe to enter Primary Care Groups.
> 
> The committee passed three motions.
> 
> 'The GMSC congratulates its negotiating team on the progress made in
>  negotiations with the Government on the New NHS White Paper and
>  wholeheartedly supports their achievements.'
> 
> 'The GMSC:
>   i)   believes that the proposals contained in the Minister's
>        letter of 17 June form an acceptable basis for GPs to
>        progress their involvement in PCGs
>  ii)   invites the LMC Conference to support this decision.'
> 
> 'The negotiators should be invited to submit an appropriate motion
>  to Conference to enable it to conduct an informed debate about
>  recent NHS developments.'
> 
> These important negotiations have been conducted by the United
> Kingdom General Medical Services Committee in relation to the
> English White Paper, but it is recognised that the principles
> identified have implications for the future of general practice
> throughout the UK.
> 
> Dr John Chisholm said after the meeting: "I believe that the
> progress that has been made during the last month's constructive
> negotiations gives general practitioners the reassurances they have
> been seeking to get them to the starting gate. Without such
> assurances, doctors have been understandably fearful that the
> Government's proposals spelt danger. The Minister's guarantees
> should now make family doctors confident that their future has been
> safeguarded. I feel that GPs do now have the opportunity to commit
> themselves to making "The New NHS" work, to the advantage of both
> doctors and patients. The Minister acknowledges that there is much
> more work still to be done before Primary Care Groups go live next
> April, and that the GMSC will be fully involved in the processes of
> consultation and negotiation."




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