Mword 42 – Dr Michelle Drage’s latest update for GPs and practice teams
Mword
17 January 2020
Dear Colleague
Update – Draft PCN DES specifications 20/21
I want to say a huge thank you to those of you who completed our survey last week, and for tolerating the additions to your bulging inboxes. I realise it is a huge ask to complete surveys, even when they’re from us, but it is a critically important part of being able to be heard and for us to represent you to our government paymasters. And with that help, yesterday we were able to do just that.
We received 725 responses in just one week with 88% feeding back that NHSE&I’s published draft specifications would decrease PCN stability, and 94% saying that they would decrease practice financial stability.
Armed with all the numbers and analysis garnered from the more detailed feedback in the free text boxes, Londonwide GPs and practices’ feelings were fully represented at yesterday’s GPC meeting where the NHSE&I proposals were overwhelmingly rejected. Following on from this, an emergency motion to hold a Special Conference of LMC Representatives was overwhelmingly supported, which will take place once further negotiations are completed.
By completing our survey, you, our grass roots GP practices, have sent a clear message to NHSE&I that however many opportunities the system believes PCNs may offer, it is core general practice that is key to delivering them and it is the core of general practice that must also be sustained.
Please do stay tuned – there will be more.
As ever – please do let me have any views on these issues or others at mword@lmc.org.uk.
