The GPC has launched an online survey to assess the impact of the 2013/14 GP contract imposition, with the findings expected to be used as ammunition in the upcoming round of contract negotiations.
GPs in England have been asked to spend two or three minutes filling in the short survey, which focuses on the contract imposition’s effect on GP workload, morale, practice income and expenses. The GPC also wants to find out what level of engagement GPs have with their CCGs, and whether the contract changes have led to them having less time to engage with clinical commissioning. Other questions focus on GPs’ opinion on the QOF changes and which DESs they have opted to take on this year.
The survey, which closes on 9 September, will inform the GPC as it prepares for a new round of contract negotiations.
GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: ‘GPs in England - we want to hear your views about the impact of the 2013-2014 contract changes on you, your workload and your patients. We will use these survey results to inform negotiations with the Government on the 2014-2015 contract changes that are getting underway shortly.’
The call comes a week after Dr Nagpaul sent his first letter to the profession since being elected as GPC chair last month, promising to fight to remove ‘bureaucratic elements’ of the QOF.
The Department of Health pushed through a range of non-negotiated GP contract changes in England this year, including the removal of organisational QOF points, new clinical indicators and higher QOF thresholds. It also imposed four new DESs, focusing on dementia, reducing hospital admissions, online access and telehealth.
Howevertalks the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish health departments opted to reach negotiated agreements with the profession.
