When is a contract not a Contract ?

When it is called the GMS 2 Contract.

Signed in 2004 to define GP's conditions of work and levels of remuneration.

Signed in good faith by GP's and the Government.

When it can be unilaterally altered by one party at 3 months notice resulting in a destabilising effect to General Practice in England.

Just England?

Yes for now, for although the original contract was agreed between GP representatives and all 4 national Governments in the UK current changes will only affect England. This is a change from the basis of understanding to contract changes which were believed to have been agreed across all 4 countries, with local extra services to be negotiated locally.

The Government in England has stated that it's only priority for Primary Care in 2008/9 is to extend opening hours. It is not interested in improving quality of care which is a peculiar stance for a national government. It is actually removing incentives to improve quality of care so the net effect is to damage health care.

They want GP practices to open longer, meaning longer working hours for reception staff, nurses and doctors.

Do you want to be seen by a tired doctor at 8pm if they have been working since 8am?

GP practices are not being given additional funding to extend opening hours. So this will mean reduced access during the day, no guarantee of 24 hour or 48 hour access. Later appointments - meant to help those at work will be open to all, so if you want a late appointment then it may have been filled by those whose access during the day has been reduced to maintain an acceptable workload to keep your GP and nurses fresh to deal with your problems.

What evidence do they have to support these changes?

1. An £11 millon survey showed on average that 84% of people were happy with access to Primary Care. In my practice that was 92%.
2. The CBI do not like people taking time off work to go to the Doctors
3. Err that's it
   

Why are they doing this?

• They would not accept a cost neutral proposal for increased hours with new quality targets
• The Government wants to privatise Primary Care
• They would like large corporations to run Primary Care
• They do not care about the quality of your health

Gordon Brown will be remembered as the Labour Prime Minister who dismantled the NHS.

Aneurin Bevan must be turning in his grave.