Certification - Continuing Care
More and more GPs are being asked to provide Continuing Care Reports. A GP is required to always act in the patient's best interests, and this information should only be provided with the patient's consent.
Where a simple statement of fact regarding major diagnoses and current medication is requested in order to assist a placement decision this falls within the GMS contract and no fee should be charged . This Continuing Care Assessment Form may be helpful if you are asked for information to inform a CHC decision.
Part 1 of this form clarifies information what should be provided free of charge as this is considered to form part of essential services.
Part 2 allows the GP to provide additional information that would be helpful. This is NOT obligatory but it will not attract a fee. (i.e. do this bit out of good will if you wish but you don't have to.)
NB: We would suggest that where a full clinical assessment is required as part of a comprehensive care record, a consultant or other clinician in the multidisciplinary team should be asked to prepare this.
