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Expansion of social care fund 'could hit GP numbers' Expansion of social care fund 'could hit GP numbers'
(3 months later)
Up to 2,400 GPs could be axed following the chancellor's decision to treble the amount of NHS cash transferred to prop up social care, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners.Up to 2,400 GPs could be axed following the chancellor's decision to treble the amount of NHS cash transferred to prop up social care, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners.
George Osborne's comprehensive spending review proposed taking £2bn for local authorities to spend on social care. An analysis by the college shows that family doctors stand to lose about £200m in two years' time unless general practice is protected.George Osborne's comprehensive spending review proposed taking £2bn for local authorities to spend on social care. An analysis by the college shows that family doctors stand to lose about £200m in two years' time unless general practice is protected.
The college says that although the government claims the NHS budget is ringfenced, the spending plans could mean a cut in funding for general practice and a substantial reduction of GPs.The college says that although the government claims the NHS budget is ringfenced, the spending plans could mean a cut in funding for general practice and a substantial reduction of GPs.
Family doctors say they are already at breaking point. A college poll released two weeks ago revealed that six out of seven UK doctors thought general practice was in crisis, and nearly half of GPs said they could no longer guarantee safe care. The college's chair, Dr Clare Gerada, said: "General practice is the cornerstone of the NHS. When general practice starts to buckle, the entire health service comes under increasing strain and any substantial cut in GPs – when we are crying out for more – will have a devastating impact on our patients."Family doctors say they are already at breaking point. A college poll released two weeks ago revealed that six out of seven UK doctors thought general practice was in crisis, and nearly half of GPs said they could no longer guarantee safe care. The college's chair, Dr Clare Gerada, said: "General practice is the cornerstone of the NHS. When general practice starts to buckle, the entire health service comes under increasing strain and any substantial cut in GPs – when we are crying out for more – will have a devastating impact on our patients."
The college's analysis of how the diversion of money into the pooled fund will affect general practice is based on the current funding formula, under which general practice receives 9% of NHS cash.The college's analysis of how the diversion of money into the pooled fund will affect general practice is based on the current funding formula, under which general practice receives 9% of NHS cash.
Under this formula, general practice would contribute 9% of the money being moved from the health service into the pooled fund, a loss of £18m in 2013-14 and £180m in 2015-16.Under this formula, general practice would contribute 9% of the money being moved from the health service into the pooled fund, a loss of £18m in 2013-14 and £180m in 2015-16.
The college says the funding lost would be the equivalent of 2,390 salaried GPs across England.The college says the funding lost would be the equivalent of 2,390 salaried GPs across England.
The college urged the government to guarantee that none of the money put into the pooled fund would be diverted from general practice. Gerada said: "Our analysis shows that, in reality, the budget for general practice in 2015/16 could suffer from savage cuts. At a time when we are already struggling to cope with the demands of an ageing population and a patient client group that has increasingly complex health issues, it is ludicrous that the chancellor has put in place a programme that risks taking millions of pounds out of general practice. Right now, we need 10,000 more GPs, not 2,400 fewer."The college urged the government to guarantee that none of the money put into the pooled fund would be diverted from general practice. Gerada said: "Our analysis shows that, in reality, the budget for general practice in 2015/16 could suffer from savage cuts. At a time when we are already struggling to cope with the demands of an ageing population and a patient client group that has increasingly complex health issues, it is ludicrous that the chancellor has put in place a programme that risks taking millions of pounds out of general practice. Right now, we need 10,000 more GPs, not 2,400 fewer."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "This isn't a loss of money from the NHS to social care – we are creating a joint fund that will benefit both. Spending money on social care not only provides a better service for individuals, it also eases pressure on the NHS.A Department of Health spokesman said: "This isn't a loss of money from the NHS to social care – we are creating a joint fund that will benefit both. Spending money on social care not only provides a better service for individuals, it also eases pressure on the NHS.
"If we are to improve the care of the most vulnerable in society we have to invest in services that can help keep them out of hospital when they don't need to be there. GPs will play a crucial role in this, helping to commission services with local authorities for their local population.""If we are to improve the care of the most vulnerable in society we have to invest in services that can help keep them out of hospital when they don't need to be there. GPs will play a crucial role in this, helping to commission services with local authorities for their local population."
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