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A letter from Dean Marshall, Chairman of the SGPC, regarding the New GMS Contract Negotiations

30 January 2008

When I wrote on 17 January, I advised you that the Scottish Government had sent me their alternative proposals for the new GMS contract for 2008/2009 in the event that the profession did not accept the UK Governments’ current proposals. I also explained that there were several aspects of the process and the proposals that needed further clarification before I shared the detail with the profession.

I think it is important to provide you with information on the background to negotiations both at UK level and in Scotland in order to set the current Scottish position in context.

The Scottish Government had indicated early in the negotiating process that they wished to achieve more flexibility of GP access within core GMS hours and introduce extended access in areas where there was evidence of a problem with access. Negotiations in Scotland had been proceeding around these issues, in tandem with UK negotiations, until December 2007 when the UK Governments made their final “offer” to the profession. This “offer” differed substantially from the discussions which had taken place between GPC and the NHS Employers at UK level, and even more substantially from the discussions which had taken place between SGPC and the Scottish Government.

The GPC was advised that if the profession rejected the UK Governments’ final “offer”, alternative proposals would be put in place. The background to UK negotiations, the details of the UK Governments’ final “offer”, and the alternative proposals for England should the profession reject the final “offer” were set out in detail in the letters of 20 December and 8 January from the GPC Chairman, Dr Laurence Buckman.

The Scottish Government appeared committed to a UK “offer” which did not reflect Scottish needs, circumstances or health policy and which significantly departed from the discussions on improving access which had previously taken place between SGPC and the Scottish Government. In January, SGPC was advised that the Scottish Government’s alternative proposals for the contract, in the event that the profession did not accept the UK Governments’ final “offer”, largely mirrored those for England.

SGPC negotiators subsequently entered into further discussions with Scottish Government officials and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. These discussions have resulted in the potential for a number of flexibilities to be introduced to the UK Governments’ “offer” as it would apply in Scotland, and assurances that further negotiations would take place between SGPC and the Scottish Government on the alternative proposals should the profession reject the UK Governments’ final offer.

The details of the UK Governments’ final “offer” are set out at Annex A to this letter. The Scottish Government’s alternative proposals in the event that the profession rejects the UK Government’s final offer are set out at Annex B to this letter. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has confirmed that the alternative proposals would not be introduced without further negotiation between SGPC and the Scottish Government. Please download the letter in Word format to view Annex A and B.

Discussions are ongoing between SGPC and the Scottish Government to clarify further the details of the final offer as it would apply in Scotland. The GPC will shortly be writing out to all GPs in the UK to ask their opinion on what is on offer to the profession in each of the respective nations. That letter will include as much detail as possible on the final “offer” as it applies in Scotland and on the alternative Scottish proposals. When considering how to respond to the GPC opinion poll, you will wish to take into account the information contained in the accompanying letter and the consequences on the funding of your Practice.

SGPC will work closely with Scottish LMCs in the next few weeks to ensure that they are well-informed of developments. Please direct any questions and concerns to your LMC so that these can be fed back to SGPC for consideration.

Yours sincerely
Dean Marshall
Chairman
Scottish General Practitioners Committee