GPs must help reshape hospital care

For me the one big unanswered question re current health reform agenda was who leads hospital reconfiguration. No one doubts it needs to be done, nor its merits, but usually deeply unpopular, the public have always seen as a statutory responsibility and looked to local politicians, PCT, DH. I’m not saying GPs shouldn’t be involved, or even take a lead here, but GPs must be very mindful of the potential for public backlash, especially when added to higher GP visibility for commissioning and budget decisions. GPs enjoy high public trust because they look after the health of the individual, not management of the health economy and the difference is massive, not just operationally but in terms of risk to trust and reputation too. Tread carefully as, in my opinion, GPs responsibility for hospital reconfiguration is the hidden part of the iceberg with the proposed H&SC bill and carries potential to destroy public trust in the professional unless expertly handled.