14th January 2011
Royal College of General Practitioners questions Government proposals on patient choice
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is warning that some Government suggestions on providing more choice in the NHS will cause long-term harm to patients and the NHS, particularly for vulnerable adults and at-risk children.
The RCGP made the comments in its response to the Department of Health’s consultation Liberating the NHS: Greater Choice and Control which closes today (14/1). In its response the RCGP says it welcomes the concept of patient choice but warns that some of the suggestions laid out in the consultation are misguided such as the abolition of practice boundaries and is concerned that the suggestion of ‘any willing provider’ ‘runs a severe risk of destabilising the NHS in England’.
In the response, submitted to the DH and published online today, the RCGP also warns that continuity of care, a much valued, trusted and important aspect of patient care, could suffer.
It says, ‘there are potential consequences for the protection of children and vulnerable adults, where parents/carers are able to register out of the area.’ It also warns that some rural practices may become ‘unsustainable’ and raises concerns regarding potential for easier abuse of prescribing and other services.’
Dr Clare Gerada, RCGP Chair, said: “Patients do value more choice and they trust GPs to help them make the right choices. We do feel that the choices outlined in this consultation are misguided. GPs and their teams play an essential role in the lives of a great many of their patients such as in safeguarding the health of at-risk children and vulnerable adults. The Government’s suggestions could severely affect continuity of care and end up costing much more than they have bargained for.”
Some commuters have said that they would welcome the abolition of practice boundaries, but the College feels the needs of commuting populations can be met in other ways saying it ‘prefers to explore solutions for patients who find it difficult to access care locally, rather than dismantling the bedrock of the General Practice system that is underpinned by a local list’.
Source: The Royal College of General Practitioners
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