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GPs 'better off on new contract' 'Raise bar for GPs' says report
(10 minutes later)
Family doctors in Wales have better working conditions under new contracts, but more needs to be done to monitor the services they offer, says a report. The Auditor General for Wales says he wants to see the performance bar for GPs in Wales raised to ensure patients continue getting better services.
The National Audit Office (NAO) said the contracts had brought some benefits for patients, but needed to be managed better to fulfil their potential. The National Audit Office (NAO) said new contracts had brought some benefits for patients, but needed to be managed better to fulfil their potential.
The Welsh Assembly Government said it had noted the report's recommendations. The Welsh Assembly Government said it had noted the recommendations.
But the British Medical Association (BMA) said it was very unhappy with the "inaccurate and misleading" report.But the British Medical Association (BMA) said it was very unhappy with the "inaccurate and misleading" report.
The NAO said the new General Medical Services contract, which formally came into effect in April 2004, had brought some benefits to patients in Wales.The NAO said the new General Medical Services contract, which formally came into effect in April 2004, had brought some benefits to patients in Wales.
It concluded that, although the contract was helping to improve primary care services, a number of changes needed to be made to the way the contract is run.It concluded that, although the contract was helping to improve primary care services, a number of changes needed to be made to the way the contract is run.
The Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman, said the contract has delivered clear improvements for GPs - with better working conditions, a 10% reduction in working hours, and an average 25% increase in GP incomes. Auditor General for Wales Jeremy Colman said the contract has delivered clear improvements for GPs - with better working conditions, a 10% reduction in working hours, and an average 25% increase in GP incomes.
GP incomes have risen by 10% and work hours have dropped 25%GP incomes have risen by 10% and work hours have dropped 25%
He said this had created a situation where general practice was a more attractive option for young doctors, and that, across Wales, it had led to the oversubscription in trainee schemes and a reduction in vacancy levels.He said this had created a situation where general practice was a more attractive option for young doctors, and that, across Wales, it had led to the oversubscription in trainee schemes and a reduction in vacancy levels.
However, vacancy rates remain higher in Wales (1.8%) than in England (0.7%), and there has actually been an increase in vacancies in north Wales (3.6%).However, vacancy rates remain higher in Wales (1.8%) than in England (0.7%), and there has actually been an increase in vacancies in north Wales (3.6%).
GP practices now also have more funding for services to offer their patients - leading to an improvement in the baseline activity of practices, and the quality of care for patients in many areas, claims the report.GP practices now also have more funding for services to offer their patients - leading to an improvement in the baseline activity of practices, and the quality of care for patients in many areas, claims the report.
'Inaccurate and misleading''Inaccurate and misleading'
The report added the level of care had also improved, with the vast majority of patients able to expect to see their GP promptly, and most practices in Wales now demonstrating they were meeting acceptable standards.The report added the level of care had also improved, with the vast majority of patients able to expect to see their GP promptly, and most practices in Wales now demonstrating they were meeting acceptable standards.
The report, called "Review of the new General Medical Services Contract in Wales", also identified a need to monitor more closely the money given out to GP practices, and raised concerns about the way improvements were being measured and evaluated. The report entitled Review of the new General Medical Services Contract in Wales, also identified a need to monitor more closely the money given out to GP practices, and raised concerns about the way improvements were being measured and evaluated.
However BMA Cymru said it was "extremely unhappy" with the report and had requested a meeting with the Auditor General to correct what they regard as an "inaccurate and misleading document".However BMA Cymru said it was "extremely unhappy" with the report and had requested a meeting with the Auditor General to correct what they regard as an "inaccurate and misleading document".
According to the BMA, the National Audit Office had failed to understand a number of key elements, for example the system by which GP practices are awarded extra sources, on a points system.According to the BMA, the National Audit Office had failed to understand a number of key elements, for example the system by which GP practices are awarded extra sources, on a points system.
In a statement, the Welsh Assembly Government said "Health Minister Edwina Hart had "noted the report and will consider the recommendations".In a statement, the Welsh Assembly Government said "Health Minister Edwina Hart had "noted the report and will consider the recommendations".