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How the GP Forward View has split opinion

Dr Chaand Nagpaul - Power 50 2015

‘NHS England have committed to investment which will reverse the unacceptable decline in general practice funding. This is a vital step as the proportion of resource in general practice will reach 11% of the NHS budget and beyond. We see this as a floor, not a ceiling, and believe that NHS England must ensure that resources follow where care is being provided going forward.

‘It is vital that GPs and staff see tangible delivery against these commitments, so that the words are translated into action. GP practices must receive the immediate and urgent support needed, as well as the infrastructure for a sustainable future, which will attract younger doctors to become GPs, and enable existing GPs to remain working.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, GPC chair

Dr Maureen baker - online

‘Today’s announcement is a huge and important step in the right direction, and if implemented correctly, our profession, the wider NHS, and most importantly, our patients will reap the benefits.

‘Crucially, it will send a loud and clear message to those about to embark on a career in general practice, and medical students considering it, that their future as a GP will be attractive and secure.’

Dr Maureen Baker, RCGP chair

Professor Steve Field 300x300

 

‘We know that GPs are under increasing pressure with limited resources, increasing patient demand and a rapidly evolving health and care landscape and so, I am pleased this report sets out the increased support and further investment that they need to do their jobs well and to make sure their patients get the care they deserve.

‘We look forward to playing our part in delivering the Forward View as we continue our plans to build on the regulatory model we introduced for general practices over eighteen months ago.’

Professor Steve Field, CQC chief inspector of general practice

 

Michelle Drage 300x300

‘Today’s announcement falls far short of what is needed to address the challenges facing general practice in the Capital and beyond. GPs are in a state of emergency. Patients risk losing their GPs unless pressures on general practice are dramatically eased.

‘General practice is at breaking point. That’s not safe for patients or staff.’

Dr Michelle Drage, chief executive Londonwide LMCs

 

Robert Morley 300x300

‘Whilst it’s good news that the severity of the parlous state of general practice has belatedly been recognised and that all additional investment and many of the specific measures heralded in the document are to be welcomed, the increased funding announced here is still far too little, too late to resolve the catastrophic workload and workforce crisis facing the profession.’

Dr Robert Morley, GPC contracts and regulation subcommittee chair 

 

Clare Gerada 300x300

Clare Gerada 300×300

I’ve always said general practice goes in a twenty year cycle, and those twenty years are grim until something happens. I think this is the something, as long as the CCGs don’t steal it.

Professor Clare Gerada, former chair, RCGP

 

chris hewitt 2 online

chris hewitt 2 online

I believe that [this] could accelerate the demise of general practice as we know it. General practice needs a clear vision – we need a rescue package that clearly outlines pounds per patient and per patient contact for the core work of GPs.

Dr Chris Hewitt, Leicestershire LMC chief executive

 

Peter Swinyard 300x300

Peter Swinyard 300×300

As someone who is a fully paid up cynic about everything government tries to do to us, and the disasters that have met general practice in the last two or three years, this at least could be a turning point. We might look back and say ‘that was the first bit that started rebuilding general practice’. I hope I’m right.

Dr Peter Swinyard, chair, Family Doctor Association

 

Stephanie De Giorgio 300x300

Stephanie De Giorgio 300×300

I’m disappointed that the RCGP is in favour of the package – they were involved in helping create it and some of the work here is good but overall, it is not a rescue plan. It’s like putting a teeny round plaster on an exsanguinating patient.

Dr Stephanie DeGiorgio, co-founder of Resilient GP

 

Dr Nav Chana  Paul Stuart

Dr Nav Chana Paul Stuart

‘Primary care organised around general practice has a pivotal role to play but it must be transformed to face challenges. We encourage this transformation to recognise the wider primary care workforce to support general practice to meet the health and social care needs of its population.’

Dr Nav Chana, chair of the National Association of Primary Care 

 

Zoe Norris 300x300

Zoe Norris 300×300

‘To access the funding that has been announced, practices will have to jump through a lot of hoops and sign up to providing 7 day care. We are not being trusted to be given core funding’

Dr Zoe Norris, media lead, GP Survival