The problem here is a group of managers trying very hard to take control of a group of independent practitioners, and bend them to their will.
(NHS managers call for new GP contract)
Sadly, historical evidence and experience suggests that if they succeed – and by having so many salaried GPs we may one day make that easy for them – it will become a complete dog's breakfast with spiralling costs and increasing inefficiency.
The 30% cut in management costs PCTs are facing is the first sensible target to be introduced in decades – hopefully it will be repeated year on year.
From Dr Brian McGregor
York
