17 Januray 2011

GP Commissioning: It’s not about power, it’s about health care

Committed frontline clinicians and their patients hold the key to a more progressive NHS, says NHS Alliance

The independent body, which brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers, says that health care reforms will put power back in the hands of frontline clinicians and their patients.

Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, said: “The reforms, which will be one of the key policies in the Health and Social Care Bill on Wednesday, are not wild ideas. They are a sign of a progressive NHS, where frontline clinicians and their patients will be able to have a say on how taxpayer money is spent to improve the health of the local community.

“Giving power to frontline clinicians and their patients is bound to upset those with vested interests, such as  some of the more centralist senior NHS managers who are used to ruling  the roost and some acute service providers, who could lose money and power if health services are structured  with local communities in mind.

“These reforms are addressing a fundamental imbalance between those who commission health services and those who deliver them. GP consortia have the ability to bring care closer to the community by creating local services which at the moment can only be delivered by hospitals at a sometimes much higher cost.

“The changes proposed are not without challenges and the details of implementation need to be thought through carefully to ensure the NHS’ independence and protect the services from self-interested organisation, such as the corporate sector. The status quo has had its fair share of chances to improve the NHS’ health and finances, which hasn’t happened so far.  Therefore the real risk is in keeping a status quo which continuously has failed to create solutions to improve health care to patients, value for money for taxpayers and a system which truly reflect the needs of local communities.” 

Notes:

1.   NHS Alliance brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers as the leading organisation in primary care. We are an independent non-political membership organisation proud to be at the forefront of clinically-led commissioning. Its leaders are all dedicated professionals, who represent the Alliance’s diverse membership, working ceaselessly to meet the challenges facing the NHS today. Find out more at www.nhsalliance.org

2.   For more information, please email pressoffice@nhsalliance.org or call 07772756674.