Patient choice

Released 03/07/2008

by Matt Jane

Minister attacks GPs underhand tactics, writes Matthew Jane

It would appear that the hunt is on. Yet there is no sign of riders in red blazers, the growl of the dog pack cannot be heard and there are no foxes fleeing to the safety of the copse.

This is a witch-hunt and the player of the fox is general practice.

With shake-ups in the post, new legislation leaving practices scratching their heads as to where the path will leave, the last thing surgeries needed was for government ministers to start making claims of gentlemen's agreements comparable to the inner workings of the Freemasons.

Ben Bradshaw is the man who has decided to upset the apple cart with his claims that GPs have agreed, on the hush-hush, to keep patient lists closed, "therefore working against real patient choice."

While primary care groups have been quick to defend their working, it seems that ministers are baying for blood.

So to all those in primary care: will you stay in the coppice with your heads kept low, or is this the time for the fox to bite back?

Read about this story in our news section.

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