News of Wales - Issue 1
October 2005
Chairman of the GPC Wales – Dr Andrew Dearden – reports on achievements
Well, we now face the third year of the new GP contract. I think it is fair to say that the past two years have brought some real benefits to the profession here in Wales.
All GPs have the opportunity to opt out of OOH if they wish. Many, if not all, have done so, though many continue to provide services OOH through their various local providers. It is also fair to say that the changeover has been smoother in some areas than others, and in some still problematic, but from a workload point of view, a real success.
Many have had their first QOF achievement payment for last year. It has been nice to see how GPs have worked incredibly hard to achieve levels that 1-2 years ago seemed unattainable. Shame that having done so well, treated so many people, and achieved such high levels of quality (or proved we were providing them already!) has been greeted in some quarters with concerns and statements about “over achievement”. Profits for the past 2 years seem to be up above expectations, which is good in itself, but that will also help the dynamising factor for both years too. Many doubted we’d even get to the estimated 30% –35%. Wouldn’t it be nice to exceed it?
The QOF review is now ongoing and we are determined to continue to abide by the principles of the QOF, which are evidence-based indicators that affect the outcomes of disease.
We have seen successes in some areas in Community Hospitals and Enhanced Services. Whatever we feel about these here in Wales, we have done a heck of a lot better than many areas in England and the rest of the UK I can assure you.
But there are areas where we need to do a lot more. The Violent Patients (VP) Schemes, if run properly, would be a real change and protection not only to staff but also to patients and those who use our practices on a daily basis. We have worked with the Assembly to improve informing others of VPs when they move, informing practices if a VP declines to be assigned to the VP service etc. Please be assured we are not letting this one go.
Patient confidentiality especially with regards to their notes, seems to be a growing worry. It would appear that others within the NHS do not see anything wrong with trampling through a patients’ notes, with no attempt to gain consent, for any old reason at all. It seems some would like the option to trawl throughout the notes for any reason they consider “good” without adhering to even the simplest of ideas on patient consent and confidentiality. We are not happy with the way some people employed or used by the LHBs pay scant attention, if any, to patient records and confidentiality.
The other area really starting to worry me is in locum payments. I fear that LHBs see this funding as one area within their budgets where they can make savings with what appears to be no insight or foresight into the impact of ‘defunding’ this area. We work hard to recruit GPs to Wales. We work hard to keep GPs working in Wales and we then tell them that they won’t get any financial support if they become sick. An even more worrying (and stupid idea) is one floated by some LHBs to consider not supporting female doctors if they become pregnant, even though it is impossible to insure against pregnancy in the UK! If there is anything worthy of a sexual discrimination case I think that it is! What a wonderful way to recruit the next generation of female registrars to Wales eh?
In a different role I have within the BMA. The government’s pension review will also be starting back up again in a month or two. I suspect we will need to strongly defend our pensions against the government’s attempts to reduce them.
So an interesting year gone, another to come. Still, a little boredom every now and again can be welcome from time to time!