GPs want more information on commissioning

Released 23/01/2012

Over half of GPs want to know more about commissioning, according to a survey

A survey carried out by the Family Doctor Association has revealed that half of GPs would like to know more about the pros and cons of clinical commissioning groups.

Twenty-five per cent of all GPs surveyed said that they would like to know what the bad points to commissioning are, and a similar number said they would like to know the good points, which indicates a level of uncertainty about what CCGs are hoping to achieve and the overall effects of the introduction of clinical commissioning groups.

Results indicated that 91% of GPs had an interest in commissioning, whilst 9% of respondents said they had no interest in it at all, suggesting that on the whole GPs view commissioning positively.

The top requests for learning drawn from the results included, a“Commissioning for Dummies” type guide book for GPs, and “nuts and bolts courses” on commissioning. GPs also requested information on how the changes will affect their patients, and about how their own clinical work might be affected, indicating that there is insufficient guidance on how the general running of the practice, and how GPs continue to do their day job will change.

Getting involved

Only 11% of GPs were interested in getting involved in commissioning on a local level, which raised the question over whether or not GPs have enough information about leadership opportunities. This has been listed as one of the issues identified by the survey: “More robust dissemination about leadership opportunities within local GP communities [is needed] to ensure cadre of local leaders/supporters in medium to long term. For local leadership empowerment – is 11% sufficient for success?”

Levels of knowledge differed depending on the type of GP, with 49% of partners saying they had sufficient knowledge, but only 25% of salaried GPs and 21% portfolio GPs saying they had enough information. The report stated: “Knowledge spectrum by GP type may have some bearings on future GP engagement...If the system is to be truly clinically-led then [it] need[s] ways to work with all GP types.”

National Chairman Dr Peter Swinyard said: “Over 90% of GPs have some interest in commissioning. This gives hope for the future of patient care and general practice in a hostile political climate, showing that most GPs, whatever their opposition to the Health Bill, think that Clinically Led Commissioning will come.”

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