By Alisdair Stirling
The RCGP is launching a new commission on generalism in medicine to bolster the role of the GP and encourage a greater role for generalism in other areas of medicine.
Chaired by Baroness Ilora Finlay, the commission will examine the role of generalism in medicine and make recommendations for the future of the generalist role and workforce planning.
A panel including former RCGP chair and president Professor David Haslam, Harry Cayton, chief executive of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, Dr Anna Dixon, director of policy at the King's Fund and Baroness Sheila Hollins, professor of psychiatry of learning disability at St George's, University of London, will meet over a period of approximately 12-15 months.
The commission will also consider how clinical training for general practice and some other specialties retain key elements of generalism to deliver effective patient care.
Preliminary findings will be presented to RCGP Council in September this year. The process will culminate in the publication of an independent report in early 2012.
RCGP Chair Dr Clare Gerada said: 'The Commission will be one of the most important pieces of work that the college has ever carried out and has the potential to inform and influence healthcare policy for years to come.'
Generalism to get a boost
