Professor Mayur Lakhani, Chair of the RCGP,
says:
"Whilst we welcome this review and its
emphasis on clinical engagement, local decision making and
appointments on the basis of ability, we are not convinced that the
new strategy will in itself deliver the necessary changes. We had
hoped to see more ambition in the new proposals - what was needed
was something that that would embolden GP leaders and allow them to
fuel the clinical engine room of the new PCTs.
"The previous PCTs by and large failed to
deliver the necessary reforms and modernisation and one reason for
this was the lack of implementation and support for decisive
clinical engagement and leadership.
"Commissioning is the make or break policy for
PCTs, and this is contingent on effective GP engagement.
"Progress in this area should be monitored
closely and I would also like to have seen proposals for clinical
engagement 'metrics' so that achievement can be measured and
monitored."
Ends
For further information contact Lorna Fletcher on 0207
3443136 or email press@rcgp.org.uk