RCGP response to Royal College
of Physicians report on emergency care
RCGP Chairman Professor Mayur Lakhani
said:
“We are angry that this report is being
used - wrongly in our view - to criticise GPS.
The real issue here is the organisation of
care and whether health planners are doing enough to secure high
quality and safe emergency care. Hard questions need to be
asked about the commissioning ability of some PCTs.
“GPs too are concerned about the standards
of emergency care that their patients receive. The RCGP has
already issued a major report on out of hours care earlier this
year. Our own findings suggest that patients are
confused about the services available to them and we have issued a
10-point plan, calling for the setting up of urgent care networks
and clearer signposting of services. Many of our
recommendations chime with this report and our Roadmap on the
future of general practice launched last month also calls for the
setting up of diagnostics and urgent care centres.
“The NHS has failed to create a compelling
vision of emergency care - this is why we are seeing fragmentation
and confusion for patients. Instead of scapegoating GPs, we should
rally round the needs of patients and use the RCGP 10-point plan in
our urgent care statement and this report to devise and deliver
world class urgent care.
“There is a way forward which is better
planning and the creation of urgent care networks and centres. GPs
look forward to working with their colleagues in leading and
planning world class emergency services. “
ends
For more information please contact the RCGP press
office 020 7344 3135/3136 or email press@rcgp.org.uk