While many of the ambitions within the government's Vision for Primary and Community Care are welcome, previously announced government proposals will undermine the positive in this report, the BMA said today (Thursday 3 July 2008).
Commenting on Lord Darzi's report, Dr Laurence Buckman, Chairman of the BMA's GP Committee said:
"There is much within this vision for primary care that is positive. We are pleased that Lord Darzi recognises the talents and professionalism of GPs and wants them to have the freedom to provide the services their patients want, and more control over how they do it. Family doctors want to provide the best service they can to their patients and to expand what they can offer, with adequate staffing and resources. Some of the ideas are not new - patients have always been able to consult by phone and practices have always been funded on the basis of the number of patients who are registered with them. Many of the ideas, such as personal plans for all patients, faster and simpler access to a wider range of community based services and early intervention to improve the long-term outcomes for patients, are good and welcome. We particularly welcome the statement that "changes will be driven not through top-down targets but by giving responsibility to the staff at local level."
Commenting on the Minister of Health, Ben Bradshaw's comments about GP choice, Dr Buckman said: