The GPC will fight for the removal of ‘bureaucratic’ and ‘non-evidenced based’ elements of the QOF in negotiations over next year’s contract, new GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul has announced.
In his first letter to the profession, Dr Nagpaul said he would argue for the removal of the box ticking elements of the QOF that make demands on GPs’ time but do not benefit patients.
He added that the GPC will also tackle the problem of excessive and relentless workload as a priority, which will mean lobbying for investment in premises and staff. The GPC will send out a survey to all GPs soon, to ascertain the workload pressures caused by the contract imposition.
The letter, sent to all GPs on 21st August, said: ‘With 2014-15 contract negotiations just about to get underway, GPC will argue for the removal of elements of the QOF that do not benefit patients, the removal of bureaucratic and non-evidence based demands on our time and to reduce our workload to manageable levels.
‘To support these early talks, we will shortly be emailing all GPs in England a brief survey to provide us with a snapshot of workload pressures caused by the contract imposition.’
He added he wanted to champion general practice, which is ‘undervalued’ and ‘faces disinvestment’, and will forge a ‘renewed relationship with government’ demonstrating how investment in general practice could help manage pressures in the NHS.
In the autumn the GPC will publish their vision of how general practice could be developed to provide such solutions.
He added that keeping GPs informed and engaged was key, and promised more opportunities for grassroot GPs to shape policy, directly, or via LMCs.
