ࡱ> DFC @ Rbjbj $- $l l l 8  "2 g"i"i"i"i"i"i"$$Rl&f" " " "  g" g" `! c5cl .S!S""0"g!\&( :&(!!&!| " l J ""H $b "H  Government threatens the viability of GP surgeries and patient care in Somerset Somerset GPs are asking their patients to contact local MPs and write to the Prime Minister about threats to the future of traditional family doctors and the quality of care they provide. The LMC believes that the Government is forcing the whole country take on changes that are supposed to make NHS care better in London, but which risk having the opposite effect in Somerset. A national survey commissioned by the Government showed that 86% of people in Somerset were happy with their doctors opening hours; that is more than 17 out of 20. This confirmed the findings of local surveys but the Government has insisted that improved access to GPs is the number one priority for patients. Family doctors leaders offered to change surgery hours depending on what patients actually wanted locally. They also suggested improvements to the national quality scheme for GPs (known as the QOF) with more focus on important illnesses like osteoporosis, circulation problems and kidney disease. The Government rejected all of this. Instead, it is going to take money away from doctors practices, which has been used to look after people with particular health problems under the QOF. The money will be given to local NHS managers (Somerset PCT) who will have to spend it on longer opening hours, either from some existing surgeries or from new contracts with private companies. The PCT will also have to build a new walk-in centre, even though there is no shortage of doctors surgeries locally. This may mean that some existing surgeries will be forced out of business. Dr Berge Balian, Chairman of the LMC, said: Extending GP surgery opening hours has not been identified as a priority for Somerset by patients, the PCT or practices. By enforcing this change, the Government is shifting the priority of the NHS away from care for those who need it the most, and towards care based on supermarket convenience and political wants. Local GPs are happy to discuss how we can be more flexible, but if a doctor is working in the evening he or she will not be available at some other time when most patients prefer to be seen. Somerset PCT has a good relationship with GPs and the PCT has assured us that patient care will not suffer. However, in order to implement the Governments imposition without affecting practices, the PCT will have to divert money away from service developments that have been identified as a priority for Somerset. None of this is exactly a good use of limited NHS funding! Notes Continuity of care seeing the same doctors and nurses is especially important for people with long term illness, who are the ones who most need the NHS. Extending surgery opening times will make it will be harder for these patients to see their usual GP or nurse. GPs and practice nurses have great experience of the local NHS and know which specialists locally are best for particular conditions, and how to arrange the most appropriate care for patients. Local surgeries are part of the community. Unlike those run by big business, they do not have to send profits away to shareholders who could be anywhere in the world. Family doctors are committed to their patients and will not walk away just because shareholders think the profit being made is not high enough. 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