Federations could provide GPs with a big idea to unite around

GP provider Federations have considerable potential, but have been marketed poorly. If individual practices don't take this opportunity seriously, they may wake up to face an offer they can't refuse from vertically integrating Foundation Trusts on their doorstep. Buying up primary care is a logical step for the consolidating acute sector to take, but it would be lose-lose for both GPs and patients. The alternative to today's vulnerable micro-businesses is community based provider Federations which go beyond just collecting practices together. These could take primary care into an enterprising future as Community Interest Companies (CICs) which could be commissioned to provide integrated health and social care and in which patients,carers, communities and clinicians all had a real stake and a say in the governance of a new type of social business. Some far-sighted GP Federations are already thinking along these lines. CCGs and Local Authorities may have this vision too.