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06/06/2006
'Star ratings' for doctors
GPs could be awarded star ratings to show the quality of care they offer, under a new voluntary scheme.
The new scheme, which is being drawn up by the Royal College of General Practitioners, could be introduced next April.
The scheme would see surgeries receive a rating between one and three by panels featuring doctors, nurses and patients representatives.
GPs will be judged on a number of basic standards, including opening times, but in order to receive the top grade they will also have to provide a range of additional services.
The proposal comes after substantial rises in GPs salaries in recent years.
The government has already expressed an interest in introducing an assessment scheme for GPs, but a Department of Health spokesperson said that they had not yet decided on what form such as scheme would take. The spokesperson said that talk of government involvement in the Royal College of GPs scheme was "very premature".
Commenting on the proposal, Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's GPs Committee said that the proposed system was "a bit like reinventing the wheel". He said: “We already have a brand new quality rating system in general practice. It is called the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and was introduced in April 2004 as part of the new GP contract.
“Rather than being a crude measure of three levels as proposed today, the QOF covers not only clinical quality but the way a practice is run and responsiveness to patients. Practice scores are in the public domain and I am proud to say the average score for UK practices was well over 90%. We already have a valid and reliable measure to show the public what sort of service they are getting from their family doctor practice."
He added: “The government has recently abandoned the crude star rating system for hospitals because it didn’t work. It seems very strange they are now considering such a scheme for GP surgeries.”
(KMcA/GB)
The new scheme, which is being drawn up by the Royal College of General Practitioners, could be introduced next April.
The scheme would see surgeries receive a rating between one and three by panels featuring doctors, nurses and patients representatives.
GPs will be judged on a number of basic standards, including opening times, but in order to receive the top grade they will also have to provide a range of additional services.
The proposal comes after substantial rises in GPs salaries in recent years.
The government has already expressed an interest in introducing an assessment scheme for GPs, but a Department of Health spokesperson said that they had not yet decided on what form such as scheme would take. The spokesperson said that talk of government involvement in the Royal College of GPs scheme was "very premature".
Commenting on the proposal, Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's GPs Committee said that the proposed system was "a bit like reinventing the wheel". He said: “We already have a brand new quality rating system in general practice. It is called the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and was introduced in April 2004 as part of the new GP contract.
“Rather than being a crude measure of three levels as proposed today, the QOF covers not only clinical quality but the way a practice is run and responsiveness to patients. Practice scores are in the public domain and I am proud to say the average score for UK practices was well over 90%. We already have a valid and reliable measure to show the public what sort of service they are getting from their family doctor practice."
He added: “The government has recently abandoned the crude star rating system for hospitals because it didn’t work. It seems very strange they are now considering such a scheme for GP surgeries.”
(KMcA/GB)
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31 August 2005
First GP performance figures released
Patients in England will be able to check how well their local GP’s surgery is performing with new figures published on Wednesday. Patients will be able to check surgeries to see how they score on a variety of areas, including appointment times and the treatment of long-term diseases.
First GP performance figures released
Patients in England will be able to check how well their local GP’s surgery is performing with new figures published on Wednesday. Patients will be able to check surgeries to see how they score on a variety of areas, including appointment times and the treatment of long-term diseases.
23 April 2004
NHS hits GP recruitment target early, claims government
The government claimed that the NHS has hit its GP recruitment target three months ahead of schedule, according to figures published today. GP numbers have increased by 2,131 since 1999, exceeding the NHS Plan target for 2,000 more GPs by March 2004, the government reported. There are now 30,598 GPs working in the NHS.
NHS hits GP recruitment target early, claims government
The government claimed that the NHS has hit its GP recruitment target three months ahead of schedule, according to figures published today. GP numbers have increased by 2,131 since 1999, exceeding the NHS Plan target for 2,000 more GPs by March 2004, the government reported. There are now 30,598 GPs working in the NHS.
19 January 2005
NAO delivers report on NHS choice target
The National Audit Office (NAO) has reported "significant risks" in struggling plans to meet targets to deliver a choice of four or five hosptials to NHS patients by the end of 2005.
NAO delivers report on NHS choice target
The National Audit Office (NAO) has reported "significant risks" in struggling plans to meet targets to deliver a choice of four or five hosptials to NHS patients by the end of 2005.
20 June 2003
GP pay contract 'a new era for general practice'
In what has been described “a new era for general practice”, GPs throughout the UK have today voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new NHS pay deal. The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract was accepted by 79.4% of GPs who took part in the ballot.
GP pay contract 'a new era for general practice'
In what has been described “a new era for general practice”, GPs throughout the UK have today voted overwhelmingly to adopt a new NHS pay deal. The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract was accepted by 79.4% of GPs who took part in the ballot.
23 April 2004
Department's figures do not give 'full picture', says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA), while welcoming the increase in GP numbers, has said that the claims by the government "do not give the full picture".
Department's figures do not give 'full picture', says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA), while welcoming the increase in GP numbers, has said that the claims by the government "do not give the full picture".
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