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RCGP appointing ‘ambassadors’ to promote GP Forward View

The RCGP is advertising for a network of paid college ‘ambassadors’ to promote NHS England’s GP Forward View on local commissioning boards. 

The college will pay back-fill costs for GPs to attend one session a week – or a fee in the event that the GP is not in full-time employment – and will also have monthly meetings with college leaders.

Ambassadors will report to a newly created RCGP executive director for the Forward View, and will be expected to ‘help influence local planning activity’. 

The RCGP fully backed NHS England’s plan for general practice over the next five years, and are badged as a development partner despite concerns from other GP groups that the plan was weak on immediate support.

RCGP chair Dr Maureen Baker told Pulse the ambassador scheme was an opportunity for college members to ensure the 108 measures laid out in the Forward View were realised in the profession’s best interests. 

The ambassadors will be expected to work with the 44 boards set up across England to deal with ’sustainability and transformation plans’, the five-year strategies being developed by local authorities, CCGs and area teams. 

Applications are open until 31 May with prospective ambassadors expected to be up to date on the GPFV as well as the College’s own Putting Patients First campaign, and able to immediately start working with their STP.

The advert said: ‘In light of the college’s decision to engage closely with the development and implementation of NHS England’s GP Forward View, the college has decided to appoint a national (i.e. England) network of members to help influence local planning activity, support faculty engagement and identify service development opportunities.’

‘They will maximise the impact of the college’s thinking, advisory and developmental work on local implementation.’

Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, said: ’The GP Forward View, which was developed in partnership with the college, is true recognition of the essential role general practice plays in keeping our health service sustainable by delivering high quality, cost-effective patient care.’

She said the Forward View offers a ‘lifeline’ for the profession, adding ’ it is important that we influence its implementation at both a national and local level’.

Dr Baker added: ‘I would encourage any college member who wants to play a role in ensuring the 108 pledges for general practice made in the GPFV are realised, effectively and in the best interests of both our profession and our patients, to get in contact.’

The GPC welcomed the Forward View as recognition of the need for sustained investment in general practice, but stopped short of putting their name to it.

GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul has warned immediate action was needed to avert mass resignations by GPs.

The RCGP said anyone interested in becoming an ambassador should email dean.benson@rcgp.org.uk

Rcgp gpfv ambassador

Rcgp gpfv ambassador role

Source: RCGP