Welfare Reform on the Web (February 2003): National Health Service - Primary and Community Care
BREAKING OFF THE ENGAGEMENT
N Bostock
Primary Care Report, vol. 4, December 11th 2002, p.6-7
There is evidence that GPs are disengaging from involvement with the strategic leadership of their primary care trusts. They are disillusioned with diversion of funds to secondary care and for the implementation of national directives.
IMPROVEMENT, EXPANSION AND REFORM: ENSURING THAT 'ALL' MEANS 'ALL'
Valuing People Support Team
2002
Document aims to help Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities ensure that local delivery plans benefit people with learning difficulties.
INTRODUCING THE NHS IDENTITY: A PILOT PROGRAMME: GUIDANCE FOR GENERAL PRACTICES (PDF format)
Department of Health
London: 2002
This guidance has been produced to help general practices introduce the NHS identity consistently. Issues covered include:
- signage,
- badges and uniforms,
- stationery,
- information leaflets,
- external notices.
[NB - above link is now to the 2004 edition]
IS GP RESTRATIFICATION BEGINNING IN ENGLAND?
R Sheaff, K Smith and M Dickson
Social Policy and Administration, vol.36, 2002, p.765-779
English National Health Service general practice is being restructured through the introduction of primary care trusts and personal medical services (PMS) schemes. Article explores GP responses to these changes. Three responses have emerged:
- defending enclaves of traditional general practice;
- concentrating on clinical rather than managerial interests;
- forming a coalition with NHS managers to control the new organisations.
ONE SIZE FITS ALL AS STANDARDISED IM&T COMES TO PRIMARY CARE.
D Jones
Primary Care Report, vol. 4, November 27th 2002, p.20-24.
Reports on progress among primary care trusts in developing and implementing IT systems. Current emphasis is on improving data quality through standardisation of GP systems and data entry practices.
PARTNERSHIP, POWER AND THE "NEW" POLITICS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN BRITISH HEALTH CARE
T Milewa, G Dowswell and S Harrison
Social Policy and Administration, vol. 36, 2002, p.796-809.
Paper used research findings to gauge the impact of accentuated partnership structures and processes on the relationship between primary care groups/trusts and local citizens and patients. A consideration of the trends that underpin and accompany the idea and implementation of partnership suggests that the influence of managers and professionals is becoming susceptible to challenge. They now face increasingly assertive user and advocacy organisations. At the same time there is evidence that the government is using the principle of professional accountability to local citizens and patients to develop new systems of control over the medical professions.
PCOs FACE UPHILL BATTLE IN ATTACK ON CANCER
S Crowe
Primary Care Report, vol. 4, Dec. 11th 2002, p.16-17.
Primary Care Trusts will be expected to play a major role in cancer prevention and health education. For cancer, this means reinforcing existing work on smoking cessation and addressing low intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.
PRIMARY CARE IN THE UK: POLICY, ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT
S Peckham and M Exworthy
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.
Looking at the substantial changes that have taken place in the delivery of health care services since the 1980's the authors examine key concepts in primary care such as:
- incorporation and fragmentation;
- inter-professional working; patient involvement;
- the medicalisation of society;
- public health.
THE SPANISH ACQUISITIONS
T Mathie
Health Service of Journal, vol. 112, Dec. 5th 2002, p.28-30
A pilot project, funded by the Department of Health, resulted in the recruitment of 17 Spanish GPs to practices in Liverpool and Manchester. The doctors are employed on two year contracts with a salary of £45,000. The initiative includes a four month induction period in a training practice. The scheme has shown that Spanish GPs are not experienced in interviewing potential employers or negotiating job plans. Keys to success include language support and a senior champion for the scheme.
STOP THE ROT
A McLellan
Health Service Journal, vol. 112, Dec. 5th 2002, p.20-21.
Reports interview with Ian Wylie, chief executive of the British Dental Association, on the reform of the moribund NHS dental services. He calls for local commissioning of services by Primary Care Trusts and a different approach to paying dentists. There is also a need to develop a multi-disciplinary approach to services, improve the dental practice estate, and foster trust between dentists and the NHS.
TAKING THE EXPRESS ROUTE INTO GENERAL PRACTICE
M Pownall
Primary Care Report, vol. 4. Nov. 27th 2002, p.25-27.
Reports on fast-track medical training which allows graduates in other subjects to qualify as doctors in four years instead of the normal five. It is hoped that some of these extra doctors will be attracted into general practice to help fill the many vacant posts.
TESTING THE HEALTH OF MODERN PRIMARY CARE
A Maynard and M Dixon
British Journal of Health Care Management, vol. 8, 2002, p.452-457
Debates whether active (ie top down) management and national standards will improve the delivery of primary care in Britain.
WHAT HAS CHI LEARNED FROM ITS PCT REVIEWS?
E Roberts
Primary Care Report, vol. 4, Dec. 11th 2002, p.12-13.
Describes the processes developed by the Commission for Health Improvement for the pilot clinical governance reviews of primary care trusts. Discusses changes to the process following evaluation.