Just 12% of GPs back NHS shake-up, says poll

Family doctors are at the heart of the reforms but only 12% agreed that they would make things “noticeably” better, down from 23% when a similar survey was taken in September 2010.

Under the changes, GP-led groups will take control of about £60 billion of the NHS budget in England from April next year. They will be expected to plan and buy most routine healthcare within their community.

Yet the poll of 814 GPs for the BBC showed 55% did not agree that the changes would improve care, while 33% said they did not know whether it would or not.

The vast majority, 83%, also predicted that there would be an increase in rationing in their area, because of financial pressures.

Some 87% agreed the changes would lead to private companies having a bigger role in the health service.

Full Article on Telegraph

How can health and social care be encouraged to integrate?

Older people are the biggest users of the NHS, accounting for 75% of activity. They occupy 60% of hospital beds, according to figures from the charity Age UK, and it is estimated that their health and social care needs alone account for most of the £70bn spent each year on patients with long-term conditions.

With the number of people aged over 85 expected to double in the next 25 years, it is crucial that the NHS of the future has the capacity to cope with the increased demands that this group of patients will bring. But do the planned changes for England outlined in the government's health and social care reforms offer older people the prospect of improved services in the new-look NHS? And will the reforms produce a more integrated health and social care landscape, which encourages more holistic and seamless care for these elderly and vulnerable patients?

These were some of the issues at the heart of a roundtable debate hosted by the Guardian and sponsored by the independent care home provider Barchester Healthcare, which looks after more than 10,000 older people across England, Scotland and Wales. The event was held under the Chatham House rule, which allows comments to be reported without attribution to encourage free debate.

Full Article on Guardian Social Care Network

Doctors to challenge coalition MPs

A group of doctors has threatened to put up candidates to oppose coalition MPs at the next election in protest at proposed changes to the NHS in England. 

In a letter to the Independent on Sunday, signed by 240 doctors, the group claims the Health and Social Care Bill "fundamentally undermines the founding principles" of the NHS.

GPs would play a key role in managing the NHS budget under the plans.

Ministers insist the changes will make the NHS more efficient.

In the letter, the doctors wrote: "It is our view that coalition MPs and peers have placed the political survival of the coalition government above professional opinion, patient safety and the will of the citizens of this country.

Full Article on BBC News

NHS bill: GPs offer to help with health changes

The Royal College of GPs has indicated it is willing to work again with the government on implementing changes to the NHS in England, it has emerged.

The body had been omitted from talks since declaring its opposition to the Health and Social Care Bill last month.

Its head, Clare Gerada, said members had not changed opinion but were willing to help "find a way forward".

She said the royal college still wanted the bill withdrawn but it was time to "stop polarising" the debate.

Full Article on BBC News

Don't let us down on care funding reform, alliance tells Andrew Lansley

Pressure is being piled upon the beleaguered health secretary, Andrew Lansley with a blunt warning from groups representing millions of elderly and disabled people that they will not stand for "empty promises" on reform of care funding.

In a joint letter to Lansley, the biggest ever alliance of charities, care home organisations and housing providers says the government must not duck its commitment to deliver reform when it publishes a social care white paper later this year. The warning comes amid reports that Downing Street fears the white paper could turn into a repetition of the government's NHS shake-up, the poor presentation of which is widely blamed on Lansley. Officials at No 10 are said to have stepped in to influence the policy process.

Ministers are believed to have some political cover as a consequence of all-party talks on care funding reform, which have begun behind the scenes in parallel with preparation of the white paper.

Full Article on Guardian Society

NHS reform bill: Royal College of GPs urges scrapping

The Royal College of GPs has called for the health bill to be scrapped, heaping more pressure on the government's controversial reforms in England.

In doing so, it becomes the first of the medical royal colleges to move to outright opposition.

The college, which represents 34,000 GPs in England, said the overhaul had to be stopped because it threatened to cause "irreparable damage" to care.

A health minister said he was "baffled" by the RCGP's criticisms.

Full Article on BBC News

Government gives £150m funding boost for social care

Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley has pledged £150m extra funding for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to alleviate the impact of social care needs on hospitals. A White Paper on social care is to reveal detailed plans for funding reform later this year.

The government is to provide an additional £150m by doubling the amount allocated to PCTs for reablement services (defined by the Department of Health as 'assistance regaining independence if daily living skills are lost through illness or injury') in 2012-13. The money is part of the £87.5bn allocation made to PCTs for 2012-13. Mr Lansley's initiative follows a warning by Age UK director Michelle Mitchell that, 'Care is in crisis and it is getting worse.'

Read more: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/01/government-gives-150m-funding-boost-for-social-care-275758/#ixzz1iTxInKM8
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Patients to give GP surgeries TripAdvisor-style ratings

Andrew Lansley said the NHS needed to become more like TripAdvisor, the holiday website, so patients can rate the performance of their health service.

Under the new system, surgeries are ranked on their treatment of common conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and depression. Patients can also compare practical benefits, such as how easy it is to get an appointment on the phone and whether staff are friendly.

Mr Lansley said: “Once people relied on the recommendation of a travel agent, now they take control with sites like Trip Advisor. Once people took pot luck, now they read Which? online reviews and Amazon customer ratings.”

Full Article on Telegraph

New NHS board will help patients 'shop around' for GP

The new NHS Commissioning Board, which is at the heart of the government's controversial NHS reforms in England, is due to start work.

The board, which will at first operate in a shadow form, will aim to help patients "shop around" and compare GPs.

It will take on the day-to-day running of the NHS, with a staff of around 3,500 and overall responsibility for NHS care worth £80bn.


Full Article on BBC News