Give as good as you get

Released 03/04/2009

by Matt Jane

Will PMS practices be forced to do more to maintain funding?

In a week when the G20 leaders have pledged $1tn to help solve the global economic downturn , and colleges in the UK reel from the announcement of a 5.4 per cent spending cut for September (leaving many without enough money to cover pupils already on roll), a pay increase of any sort isn't to be sniffed at.

A rise of 2.9 per cent may not be what GPs were hoping for, especially given it will probably mean a net rise of just 1.5 per cent, but the fact that the DH was prepared to meet somewhere between NHS Employers' and BMA's suggestions seems positive.

However, a story on Pulse this week suggested that PCTs are ‘plotting' to ensure that PMS practices do not receive the full pay uplift unless they can demonstrate an increase in services.

The story quotes a document urging managers to "link any uplift to the completion of a PMS review, incorporating World Class Commissioning competencies with a particular focus on value for money."

My initial reaction is that if PCT managers want to play the game like this, practices should give as good as they get. They want World Class Commissioning and value for money? Give it to them. I know there are a wealth of talented managers in general practice who can rise to this challenge, and the money incentive should encourage partners to support managers in this.

But equally, practices should be able to hold PCTs to account. I attended an NAPC event last week in which Gary Belfield, head of primary care at the DH, discussed the introduction of 360^o reviews for PCTs to determine whether they have achieved WCC. I'm sure there will be many practices who would relish the chance to provide some feedback on their PCT, so let's hope this is implemented soon.

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