OUT OF HOURS
The new contract allows
GPs to opt out of 24 hour responsibility for patient care.
While most GPS do plan to opt out of the responsibilityfor
out of hours ( 630pm to 8am weekdays plus all weekends and
bank holidays) , surveys suggest 70% of GPs will continue
to work in the out of hours period. It is therefore important
to monitor changes in the out of hours service and adapt current
arrangements.
PRESS RELEASE 27 January 2004
Community Mutuals to deliver
Out-of-Hours NHS services
The NAGPC supports the development of a new organisational
model for OOH Care as set out in the MUTUO paper, “Care
on Call: a mutual approach to out-of-hours primary care services.
This recognises and builds upon the success of the GP Co-operative
movement.
Dr Mark Reynolds MBE, Chairman of the NAGPC said,
“GP Co-operatives have been one of the most successful
innovations in recent years providing a good quality out of
hours service, responsive to patients’ needs. As not
for profit organisations, they deliver locally responsive
and integrated services which we believe are the best solutions
for healthcare. The GPs, management, all Co-operative staff
and other healthcare professionals, have a proven track record
and I believe that their expertise must be retained. They
are perfectly positioned to play a key part in the future
of patient care.”
“When the other stakeholders, take their places on
the boards of these new organisations, then this will begin
to join up the services locally and make best use of all the
resources available.”
“We look forward to creating thriving new coordinating
organisations that will provide good, efficient, not for profit
NHS focussed care”.
The NAGPC continues to work with the Department of Health
and MUTUO to ensure that Co-operatives evolve and are able
to play a key role in the delivery of OOH services.
End
NAGPC
National Association of GP Co-operatives
Represents and Supports GP Co-operatives and Promotes Quality
Out of Hours Patient Care
Note to editors:
1. There are two types of GP on call systems in this country:
i. GP Co-operatives; not for profit organisations, run by
and for GPs and mostly medically staffed by the clinicians
in the locality. GPs take turns in working and they also manage
the organisation with a management team and staff. They are
highly organised computerised local (often large) rotas. Three
quarters of GPs are in Co-operatives.
ii. Commercial sector companies; which employ GPs as deputies;
the main commercial provider works with two large national
call centres.
2. The NAGPC represents and supports GP Co-operatives, and
promotes quality OOH patient care. It currently represents
200 Co-operatives and approximately 20000 GP members
3. “Opt out” means transfer of responsibility.
It does not mean that GPs will not do any on call. Recent
surveys reveal that up to 70% will work sessions in the OOH
period.
4. More information: Logie Kelman, Manager NAGPC, Tel: 01132782381
email: manager@nagpc.org.uk
5. Available for interview: Dr Mark Reynolds, NAGPC Chairman,
Tel 01132782381 email: chairman@nagpc.org.uk
|
