Will I still be able to see my Doctor and what do these changes really mean?

There’s so much information in the News about GP Commissioning (General Practitioner), but what does it really mean to us as patients? 

I would imagine for anyone not involved in the NHS it must be mind boggling. There are so many acronyms, and organisations that seem to come under the umbrella of the NHS. Many people are wondering what the purpose of it all is, is it necessary, are there any real benefits to the public or is it just another massive political agenda that’s gone off the rails.

What is GP commissioning? The idea behind this, is that the GPs are responsible in holding the budget that buys/pays for their patients health care. Commissioning is just a long word for paying someone to deliver a service. Even though healthcare is free at the point of entry within the NHS the bills still need to be paid. Historically Primary Care Trusts, have been responsible for buying/paying for the services to deliver the healthcare needed for the local population. Now with the last change of Government they want GPs to take greater responsibility for this. There are many good reasons for and against.  One concern has been that GPs are independent businesses and don’t actually belong to the NHS. So will they have the public’s best interests at heart or cherry pick healthcare that somehow leaves them in pocket? There are strict guidelines in place to make sure the money is spent only on patient care. Most people naturally think GP’s are employed by the NHS. The reality is a majority of GPs do not want the additional burden of extra bureaucracy and responsibility. They feel this takes their time away from their patients and already this is a difficult balance with so much administrative work to be done.

A Locum GP gave an interesting perspective to a recent radio article. It was stating that patients may be less likely to get to see a doctor, as they are being pulled into meetings to sort out the process and there may not be enough Locum cover.  A locum is a fully trained doctor who works in the place of the regular doctor when that doctor is absent, or when a hospital/practice is short-staffed. These professionals are still governed by their respective regulatory bodies, despite the transient nature of their positions. The locum I spoke to felt this wasn’t the case from his perspective. He indicated there are plenty of Locum GPs who are happy and indeed looking for regular work. A difficulty could be as simple as commissioning bodies holding meetings on a set day, therefore reducing the flexibility of cover.

What will it mean for me as a patient?

The bottom line for most people is how is it going to affect me as a patient? Will I still be able to get to see my doctor, or any doctor if they are all being pulled into a bureaucratic machine to sort out this new process of providing health care?

The answer is slightly dependant on how your current practice works. Many GP practices operate on an ‘any’ doctor policy in order to be able to provide an appointment when necessary. If this is the case with your practice, it is likely they will be able to gain ‘Locum’ cover and provide an appointment for you. If you are always used to seeing the same doctor and that doctor has been tasked to be the ‘Lead’  in his/her practice for GP commissioning, it is possible that there will be less availability to see them personally. As a patient you should not experience any difference in the quality or frequency of available care from your GP practice.

You can help your GP by:

• ·         Having a clear idea of what medical need you want investigated

Whats next? Currently many GPs and local agents of healthcare are setting up a group to manage this budget/process called Consortia. Members are made up of nurses, GPs, management, hospital staff, finance etc. This group will be responsible for buying the healthcare needed for the local population. Realistically these won’t be fully functioning before 2013.

 If you have any concerns speak to your GP practice in the first instance. You can also visit www.doh.gov.uk.

Dee Wilkinson has worked in the NHS for the last 20 years. She specialises in GP Coaching offering increased communication skills and helping Gps to maintain focus and direction in increasingly difficult circumstances.

 Dee Wilkinson www.southwestcoaching.co.uk  and www.gpcoach.com