I am interested in thoughts on the calculation of Prescribing budgets for
practices in PCGs/ LHCCs (Scottish GP Coops).
The current position in Glasgow is that the current levels of Indicative or
fundholding budgets will be retained and that a percentage of any savings made
will go to the LHCC.
All fine and dandy so far. We, and others, however have a problem.
We are a low prescribing cost practice (18% below local average) but did not go
into fundholding. Our budget was calculated historically on the basis of
existing costs when IPA was introduced several years ago. We are aware that our
colleagues who went into fundholding had a generous recalculation of their
budgets (to avoid any political embarrassment) and so are able to make
substantial savings on their budgets ( 10's of thousands of pounds per annum).
We however are stuck with our measly historical budget Which I calculate to be
at least £70,000 p.a. underfunded! (3 GP practice). There is some recognition of
the problem but no will to correct it. The prescribing adviser is visiting soon
and I suspect will offer some pitiful increase to appease us.
I suspect most of those making the running in PCGs/ LHCCs are either
ex-fundholders or high prescribers who will do very nicely at the expense of
those of us who are quietly (and ? naively) doing as we are asked.
I would be interested to know how other groups are addressing this problem.
Disgruntled of Glasgow,
Ian
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