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Government accused of using 'anti-GP rhetoric' to mask its own failings Government accused of using 'anti-GP rhetoric' to mask its own failings
(4 months later)
Doctors' leaders and the health secretary are on a collision course over claims the government is using "anti-GP rhetoric" to mask its own failure to effectively reform the NHS.Doctors' leaders and the health secretary are on a collision course over claims the government is using "anti-GP rhetoric" to mask its own failure to effectively reform the NHS.
In a speech on Thursday at the King's Fund Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, will attack "inaccessible" GPs for leaving the frail and the elderly with no alternative but to fill up hospital accident and emergency waiting rooms. Hunt will call for a new chief inspector of GPs to crack down on poor performers.In a speech on Thursday at the King's Fund Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, will attack "inaccessible" GPs for leaving the frail and the elderly with no alternative but to fill up hospital accident and emergency waiting rooms. Hunt will call for a new chief inspector of GPs to crack down on poor performers.
Hunt points to "GP surgeries where it is often impossible to get an appointment the next day; same-day appointments but only if you call at 8 o'clock in the morning sharp and are lucky getting through; long waits on the phone to get through, sometimes at premium rates".Hunt points to "GP surgeries where it is often impossible to get an appointment the next day; same-day appointments but only if you call at 8 o'clock in the morning sharp and are lucky getting through; long waits on the phone to get through, sometimes at premium rates".
The health secretary will also call for a new Ofsted-style rating system for hospitals, pointing out that the King's Fund found almost three-quarters – 73% – of NHS professionals do not think that quality of care in the health service is given enough priority. In its first look at the NHS since the Francis report into scandalous levels of poor care at the Stafford hospital, said trust boards "must demonstrate that they give sufficient priority to quality and patient safety".The health secretary will also call for a new Ofsted-style rating system for hospitals, pointing out that the King's Fund found almost three-quarters – 73% – of NHS professionals do not think that quality of care in the health service is given enough priority. In its first look at the NHS since the Francis report into scandalous levels of poor care at the Stafford hospital, said trust boards "must demonstrate that they give sufficient priority to quality and patient safety".
However, doctors have hit back – and are producing posters to be placed in surgeries defending the profession, emblazoned with the words: "GPs want to spend more time with you, not red tape" – a dig at the health reforms which have increased their managerial responsibilities.However, doctors have hit back – and are producing posters to be placed in surgeries defending the profession, emblazoned with the words: "GPs want to spend more time with you, not red tape" – a dig at the health reforms which have increased their managerial responsibilities.
Michelle Drage, the leader of London's GPs, wrote on her website: "No doubt you are as sick as us of the anti-GP rhetoric in some of the media. We think it's time we put the record straight about general practice."Michelle Drage, the leader of London's GPs, wrote on her website: "No doubt you are as sick as us of the anti-GP rhetoric in some of the media. We think it's time we put the record straight about general practice."
Drage said the health secretary's comments were demoralising GPs and causing fear among patients. "GPs are on the edge and we are seeing this when no one appears to be getting a grip on the NHS. Who is running the NHS? Is it the GPs? Is it NHS England? Is it the secretary of state?"Drage said the health secretary's comments were demoralising GPs and causing fear among patients. "GPs are on the edge and we are seeing this when no one appears to be getting a grip on the NHS. Who is running the NHS? Is it the GPs? Is it NHS England? Is it the secretary of state?"
Hunt's speech will come as GPs gather for their annual conference, which Drage says will be "electric". She said: "Either [Hunt] does not get [the NHS] or he gets it and does this deliberately. Either way it's a pretty bad situation out there."Hunt's speech will come as GPs gather for their annual conference, which Drage says will be "electric". She said: "Either [Hunt] does not get [the NHS] or he gets it and does this deliberately. Either way it's a pretty bad situation out there."
Hunt has already faced criticism for linking the crisis in hospital A&E departments with GPs opting out of out-of-hours care. Mike Farrar, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, the body representing organisations commissioning and providing health services, questioned Hunt's assertion that Labour was to blame for a public loss of confidence in alternatives to casualty by agreeing a new contracts with family doctors in 2004. Farrar was the person who negotiated the contract with GPs.Hunt has already faced criticism for linking the crisis in hospital A&E departments with GPs opting out of out-of-hours care. Mike Farrar, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, the body representing organisations commissioning and providing health services, questioned Hunt's assertion that Labour was to blame for a public loss of confidence in alternatives to casualty by agreeing a new contracts with family doctors in 2004. Farrar was the person who negotiated the contract with GPs.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the health secretary was not "doing GP bashing. We are not proposing to tear up the GP contract. We want to work with the GP community to reduce bureaucracy and get rid of the targets that make it difficult for them to get on and treat patients quickly."A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the health secretary was not "doing GP bashing. We are not proposing to tear up the GP contract. We want to work with the GP community to reduce bureaucracy and get rid of the targets that make it difficult for them to get on and treat patients quickly."
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