NHS clinical leaders oppose mergers
pharmafile | November 8, 2005 | News story | |Â Â Â
More than three quarters of lead clinicians believe proposed mergers of Primary Care Trusts will harm patient care, according to a new survey.
Over 100 lead clinicians were surveyed by the NHS Alliance and the Health Service Journal, with 78% saying clinical engagement with GPs will be weakened, while 60% say the reorganisation of PCTs will hinder the introduction of practice-based commissioning – the government's flagship reform to bring about a patient-centred service.
The government has said the reorganisation of PCTs must be complete by October 2006 but lead clinicians across the country have questioned the wisdom of the reform – with some estimating the number of PCTs being slashed to around 180.
The survey carried out by the NHS Alliance and the Health Service Journal demonstrated the views of 102 lead clinicians from across the country's 302 PCTs.
Clinicians have also cast doubt over the government's call to reduce management and administrative costs by 15% following the reorganisation of PCTs.
Six out of ten of those surveyed said patient care would suffer from planned cuts in frontline management costs.
While none of those surveyed argued against the goals outlined by the government to increase patient services many doubt it will be achieved, according to the survey.
"The NHS Alliance believes that if we fail to pay attention now to significant concerns this survey has highlighted, we could seriously damage the ability of the NHS to deliver the reforms the government intends and the Alliance supports," commented NHS Alliance chairman Dr Michael Dixon.
Following the survey, the NHS Alliance said the health secretary had made it clear that no mergers would be imposed on PCTs from above.
"Patricia Hewitt's willingness to listen to those with practical knowledge and expertise is more than welcome. Her announcement demonstrates an admirable pragmatism," added Dr Dixon.
Dr Dixon said there now needed to be effective consultation with frontline clinicians, local managers and patients before decisions were made on reorganisation of PCTs.
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