The RCGP would like to distance itself from
the reported remarks attributed to Lord Warner that the College is
developing a practice accreditation system in England for use in
contract monitoring.
The College and GPC have asked for an urgent
meeting with Lord Warner to discuss their concerns and to ensure
that any pilot scheme is progressed in line with College
policy.
Following approval in principle by RCGP
Council, we are in the early stages of developing a possible scheme
of primary medical care provider accreditation that is voluntary,
developmental and supportive of practices. This is based on the
well-established RCGP Quality Team Development model of self-checks
and peer visits. We are currently working with our key
stakeholders, including the GPC, to develop proposals for a pilot
project aimed at all providers of primary medical care to ensure
that patients can expect to receive quality care, regardless of the
type of provider. No formal agreement has yet been reached. In
advance of the pilots it is too early to discuss how this could be
delivered in the future. We must emphasise the voluntary nature of
the scheme and, in view of this, do not feel it is appropriate to
link it to contractual monitoring, which is a matter for the GPC
and not the RCGP.
The RCGP and GPC have already established a
sub-group of its liaison committee to consider the project
further.
Ends