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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-hours GP reforms attacked | Out-of-hours GP reforms attacked |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The government "thoroughly mishandled" the introduction of the new system for out-of-hours health care in England, a group of MPs has said. | |
| A public accounts committee report found that preparations were "shambolic" and that only GPs had benefited from the new arrangements. | A public accounts committee report found that preparations were "shambolic" and that only GPs had benefited from the new arrangements. |
| It said the service was now improving, but was still not good enough. | It said the service was now improving, but was still not good enough. |
| Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said there had been some problems, but eight out of 10 patients were satisfied. | Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said there had been some problems, but eight out of 10 patients were satisfied. |
| 'Their job' | 'Their job' |
| She accepted there was still "plenty of room for improvement" but said the government did not need to lean on primary care trusts to get out-of-hours services right. | She accepted there was still "plenty of room for improvement" but said the government did not need to lean on primary care trusts to get out-of-hours services right. |
| This hands-off approach to the costs of out-of-hours care was good news for the doctors but no one else Edward LeighPublic accounts committee | This hands-off approach to the costs of out-of-hours care was good news for the doctors but no one else Edward LeighPublic accounts committee |
| "We have made it absolutely clear that's their job. Most of them are doing it very well. Some of them could do it better," she said. | "We have made it absolutely clear that's their job. Most of them are doing it very well. Some of them could do it better," she said. |
| And she denied that the department had got it wrong in taking a back seat during the negotiations, | And she denied that the department had got it wrong in taking a back seat during the negotiations, |
| Prior to April 2004, GPs were responsible for providing out-of-hours care between 6.30pm and 8am on week days, and over the weekend. | Prior to April 2004, GPs were responsible for providing out-of-hours care between 6.30pm and 8am on week days, and over the weekend. |
| Under the new system they were able to opt out of this duty in return for giving up an average of £6,000 per year. | Under the new system they were able to opt out of this duty in return for giving up an average of £6,000 per year. |
| Responsibility for out-of-hours care would then pass to the local primary care trust. | Responsibility for out-of-hours care would then pass to the local primary care trust. |
| One leading member of the British Medical Association negotiating team has admitted that they were shocked at just how good the deal was for doctors. | One leading member of the British Medical Association negotiating team has admitted that they were shocked at just how good the deal was for doctors. |
| 'Strong incentive' | 'Strong incentive' |
| The committee blamed the Department of Health for not taking a direct part in negotiations over the new system. | The committee blamed the Department of Health for not taking a direct part in negotiations over the new system. |
| Committee chairman Edward Leigh MP said: "This hands-off approach to the costs of out-of-hours care was good news for the doctors but no-one else. | Committee chairman Edward Leigh MP said: "This hands-off approach to the costs of out-of-hours care was good news for the doctors but no-one else. |
| "They were given a strong incentive to opt out and a disproportionate amount of taxpayers' money is now having to be spent to provide the replacement out-of-hours service." | "They were given a strong incentive to opt out and a disproportionate amount of taxpayers' money is now having to be spent to provide the replacement out-of-hours service." |
| MPs also criticised the Department of Health for failing to explain whether the service should be only for urgent care, or all health needs. | MPs also criticised the Department of Health for failing to explain whether the service should be only for urgent care, or all health needs. |
| And they warned that the new system was costing £70m a year more than had been predicted. | And they warned that the new system was costing £70m a year more than had been predicted. |
| They criticised the end of Saturday surgeries, and said access to care in some areas was difficult and slow. | They criticised the end of Saturday surgeries, and said access to care in some areas was difficult and slow. |
| 'Not acceptable' | 'Not acceptable' |
| Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs Committee, agreed many out-of-hours services left a lot to be desired, but said GPs were being unfairly criticised. | Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs Committee, agreed many out-of-hours services left a lot to be desired, but said GPs were being unfairly criticised. |
| "When, with the full agreement of the government, primary care organisations took over responsibility for providing the out-of-hours service and in some places failed to make a good job of it - they try to blame the GPs," Dr Meldrum said. | "When, with the full agreement of the government, primary care organisations took over responsibility for providing the out-of-hours service and in some places failed to make a good job of it - they try to blame the GPs," Dr Meldrum said. |
| "It's not right and it's not acceptable." | "It's not right and it's not acceptable." |
| The Department of Health has now launched a "clinical audit toolkit" designed to help doctors, nurses and call handlers deal with out-of-hours care more effectively. | The Department of Health has now launched a "clinical audit toolkit" designed to help doctors, nurses and call handlers deal with out-of-hours care more effectively. |
| But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb MP said: "The effect of this mess is that A&E services will be swamped by patients who don't know where else to turn." | But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb MP said: "The effect of this mess is that A&E services will be swamped by patients who don't know where else to turn." |
| Stephen O'Brien, for the Conservatives, said: "The government has failed on out-of-hours provision. Everyone, up and down the country, is suffering because of it." | Stephen O'Brien, for the Conservatives, said: "The government has failed on out-of-hours provision. Everyone, up and down the country, is suffering because of it." |