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GP concerns over NHS reforms

GPs may not have the skills required to introduce the NHS reforms proposed by the government, research has found.

A major new survey shows that plans to shut down Primary Care Trusts, and create Clinical Commissioning Groups made up of GP practices are unworkable, unless huge investment in commercial skills training is made.

The survey, commissioned by management consultancy Kurt Salmon and law firm DMH Stallard LLP, highlights the concerns among GPs as 85% felt they did not have the skills to handle their new commissioning roles, and 90% demonstrated real concern about their legal liabilities as members of a CCG.

While 50% of GPs have yet to formally create a CCG, of those which had, almost three quarters either didn’t know, or doubted if their CCG leaders could successfully control commissioning budgets.

Andrew Lentin, partner at Kurt Salmon, said: “It’s quite clear that GPs, who will be expected to manage and deliver these fundamental reforms currently have real worries as to how they will make them work in practice.

“Almost a third of GPs think that something as basic as the government’s target date of April 2013, when CCGs will inherit control from their PCT, is unachievable.”

Nick Leavey, partner with DMH Stallard LLP, added to Mr Lentin’s comments.

He said: “A major area of concern for GPs is the fact that they have no expertise in the ‘business’ of running a CCG with 72% admitting they have no experience in areas like data management, costing clinical services, negotiating with providers, procurement law, and contract and financial management.

“And yet, these are areas of critical importance if the CCG is to survive as a business.”

He went on to add that poorly performing practices could destabilise the whole CCG, as over half of CCG members either did not know of decisions being made by their leaders or felt they were not being told.

The results demonstrate fears about financial management of CCGs, together with the delivery of integrated services to patients.

Mr Lentin suggested that a mismatch has occurred between government expectations and the GP community responsible for implementing reforms.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .