Friday 16 April 2010 Issue 8 Content 2010/11 uplift .................................................................................................................... 1 Fit for the Future..................................................................................................................3 Fit Notes............................................................................................................................. 4 General election hustings – Norwich 21 April ..................................................................... 6 GP Trainees Newsletter....................................................................................................... 4 GPC Annual Report ............................................................................................................3 GPC meeting ..................................................................................................................... 1 H1N1 vaccines for travel use............................................................................................... 3 “Making the most of being a salaried GP” seminars ......................................................... 5 Media coverage report ....................................................................................................... 6 New GP and Pharmacy guides published ............................................................................ 4 Patient group directions ..................................................................................................... 1 Practice boundaries ............................................................................................................ 2 Sessional GPs Representation Working Group .................................................................... 2 Summary Care Record ....................................................................................................... 2 GPC meeting The GPC met on 15 April 2010 and this newsletter provides a summary of the main items discussed. 2010/11 uplift Following the publication of the DDRB report, the method for uplifting contract prices in 2010/11 remains under discussion. We will let you know as soon as there is further news. Patient group directions Following thorough analysis of the regulations governing the use of patient group directions (PGDs) by the BMA Legal Department, draft guidance on the use of PGDs in general practice has been considered by the GPC. The committee's comments and views will be fed into a redraft of the guidance which will be made available to LMCs shortly.

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Summary Care Record (SCR) The GPC today received an assurance from the Department of Health that the upload of the Summary Care Record in PCTs subject to accelerated roll-out will be suspended. The Department of Health informed the GPC that records will not be uploaded in PCTs subject to accelerated roll-out until there is greater public and professional awareness. The committee is very pleased that Connecting for Health has listened to its concerns and welcomes the decision to suspend uploads. We will be working with the Department of Health in future to ensure that GPC’s concerns about the Summary Care Record continue to be listened to and addressed. The letter from the BMA to the Minister for Health, Mike O’Brien, setting out the BMA/GPC’s concerns was an appendix to last month’s GPC News. We will keep LMCs informed of developments. Please see the attached press release from today: http://web2.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wlu/SGOY-84KDBL?OpenDocument&vw=wfmms Practice boundaries Following the announcement by the Secretary of State last year that all boundaries would be removed from general practice, the Department of Health has now released a consultation on how this could be done. The GPC debated the proposals and passed a motion stating that: ‘GPC has carefully considered the current proposals for the removal of practice boundaries and has concluded that:

• they put the quality of patient care and patient safety at risk • they will undermine continuity of care • they will disrupt practice based commissioning • they will increase NHS costs and introduce inefficient and ineffective demands on resources

GPC therefore rejects the proposals.’ This position will be incorporated into the GPC’s response to the consultation. We will also put forward solutions which we consider to be preferable as detailed in the position paper we published in January. Sessional GPs Representation Working Group The Sessional GPs Representation Working Group, set up to by the GPC to review the representation of sessional GPs on a national and local level, continues to make good progress. It is currently considering the preliminary findings from a survey that was sent out to sessional GP BMA members regarding representative and contractual issues. The working group hopes to report on its recommendations by the end of the current session.

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GPC Annual Report This year’s GPC Annual Report has been published on the BMA’s website: http://www.bma.org.uk/about_bma/annual_reports/gpcannreport2010.jsp H1N1 vaccines for travel use Professor Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health has sent a letter to all GPs informing of provision of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine for protection of travellers to Southern Hemisphere countries. Practices can use their existing stocks of H1N1 vaccine as a travel vaccine for members of the public intending to travel to the Southern Hemisphere during their influenza season. GPs are able to charge patients for administration of the vaccine and GPs can set their own rates for this service. Note the paragraphs in the appendix which state that: Whilst GPs can generally charge patients for administering an H1N1 vaccine in connection with travel abroad, if the contractor is participating in the Swine Flu directed enhanced service or any local enhanced service that provides for a payment in relation to an H1N1 vaccination, no charge can be made to: • patients in the priority groups defined in the Swine Flu directed enhanced service; or • patients who are in a group covered by any local scheme under which the contractor is paid for administering the H1N1 vaccine. Patients in these groups should receive the vaccination free of charge in accordance with the directed enhanced service or in accordance with the local agreement even if their request is related to travel abroad. The letter can be found on the DH website at the following link: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_114372.pdf Fit for the Future The GPC has published a 50-point plan for the future of general practice in the UK. Fit for the Future: The Evolution of General Practice sets out the committee's current thinking on a number of policy areas, including out-of-hours care, quality and outcomes framework, workforce and IT. The full document and the executive summary, as well as a podcast from Laurence Buckman, can be accessed via the following link: http://www.bma.org.uk/healthcare_policy/fitforfuture.jsp

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New GP and Pharmacy guides published NHS Employers, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) have produced two guides to support GPs and community pharmacists in developing more effective working relationships. The guide to pharmacy for GPs is designed to increase awareness of the work of community pharmacies and to encourage joint working. You may also find it beneficial in educating trainee GPs about community pharmacy. The second guide provides an overview on general practice for community pharmacists. The guides, on the work of community pharmacists and GPs, cover the following areas:

• the funding and contractual arrangements for pharmacists and GPs • the range of clinical and administrative functions that each profession provides • various staff roles and responsibilities • training and qualifications • the key national bodies • where to get more information on each profession.

The two guides are available on-line only at the following link, along with a letter to GPs (attached) from NHS Employers, the PSNC and GPC, introducing the guides: http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/CommunityPharmacyContract/Pages/professional-relationships-guides.aspx Following the joint letter last year, we would also encourage you to meet your local pharmacy colleagues to discuss ways in which you may be able to work together to enhance patient care. If you have any comments about the guide, please email pharmacy@nhsemployers.org. We would be grateful if LMCs could disseminate this as widely as possible. Fit notes As of 6 April 2010, the Med 3 and Med 5 medical statements have been replaced with the new Statement of Fitness for Work. The DWP has produced a short guide on these changes, which can be accessed here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote GP Trainees Newsletter The spring 2010 edition of the GP Trainees Subcommittee Newsletter is now available on the BMA website. It includes articles on the DDRB and extending training. Please see http://www.bma.org.uk/ni/representation/branch_committees/general_prac/gptraineesnewsspring.jsp

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“Making the most of being a salaried GP” seminars June – November 2010 The BMA is organising a series of seminars aimed specifically at salaried GPs. These events aim to:

• Advise on employment rights for nGMS, PMS, APMS and PCO-employed GPs – including sickness, maternity and redundancy issues, as well as giving general guidance on contractual rights following maternity leave and at the end of FCS and Retainer Scheme funding.

• Outline in detail the benefits of the model/minimum salaried GP contract negotiated by the BMA, and how to ensure that at least these minimum are obtained.

• Provide helpful tips for successful negotiations on salary, terms and conditions, and contract changes for use with current and new employers, with practice sessions.

• Provide an interactive setting, with the opportunity for delegates to ask questions on the day.

Could you please indicate on the registration form whether you are in a GMS, PMS or APMS practice, this will enable the speakers to tailor their advice appropriately. Dates of seminars Friday 4 June 2010 BMA House, London Tuesday 7 September 2010 Bar Convent, York Monday 20 September 2010 Birmingham Medical Institute, Birmingham Monday 11 October 2010 Park Inn Hotel, Brighton Monday 25 October 2010 Park Plaza Hotel, Nottingham Tuesday 9 November 2010 Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester Monday 15 November 2010 Southampton Solent University, Southampton Registration Fees The costs to attend these half day seminars are as follows: £46.00 including VAT for BMA members £80.50 including VAT for Non-members A sandwich lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please note that non-members are entitled to the BMA rate if they join the BMA when registering. For further information about this please call BMA Conferences on 020 7383 6605/6137. To book your place please complete and return the attached registration form (appendix1).

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General election hustings - Norwich 21 April The BMA Eastern Regional Council has organised a general election hustings event in Norwich on Wednesday 21 April at 7pm in the lecture theatre, Thomas Paine Study Centre, Norwich. This will be an opportunity for BMA members to question parliamentary candidates about their policies for the NHS. The following prospective parliamentary candidates for Norwich South will be attending:

• Charles Clarke, Labour • Antony Little, Conservative • Adrian Ramsay, Green • Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat

Each candidate will be invited to speak on their priorities for the NHS and then respond to questions from BMA members. This event will give doctors who live and/or work in Norwich the chance to influence the debate about the future direction of the NHS after the General Election.

Do come along to this important event. Tea and coffee available from 6.30pm. Directions to the venue and car parking permit are available in appendix 2.

Media coverage report Please find attached (appendix 3) a GPC media coverage report prepared by the BMA's press office, detailing GPC media activity during the last few weeks.

The GPC next meets on 20 May 2010, and LMCs are invited to submit items for discussion. You may like to review these, beforehand, with the representatives in your area who serve on the GPC. The closing date for items is 11 May 2010. It would be helpful if items could be emailed to Julie Goodway at jgoodway@bma.org.uk . You may also like to use the GPC’s listservers to exchange views and ideas.

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GPC News

GPC News is available via the Internet, via the BMA’s web pages: www.bma.org.uk

LMCs are reminded that their regional representatives can provide more detailed information about the issues covered in GPC News, and other matters. Other members of the GPC would also be pleased to accept invitations to LMC meetings wherever possible. Their names and addresses are in the GPC Yearbook. The secretariat can also provide a written background brief if required, but it would be helpful to have such requests well in advance of your meetings.

Finally, if LMCs require assistance on local issues, they can also contact the BMA’s local offices: addresses are on page 3 of the GPC’s yearbook.

This newsletter has been sent to:

Secretaries of LMCs and LMC offices Members of the GPC Members of the GP trainees subcommittee Members of the sessional GPs subcommittee

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Appendix 1

“Making the most of being a Salaried GP” Seminars March – November 2010 To book your place, either:

• Fax to: BMA Conferences on +44 (0) 20 7383 6663 • Post to: BMA Conferences, BMA House, PO Box 295, London, WC1H 9TE • Register on-line at www.bma.org.uk/conferences

PLEASE PRINT THROUGHOUT HOW TO REGISTER: Please complete and return as soon as possible. I wish to attend the following seminar:

Friday 4 June 2010, London Tuesday 7 September 2010, York Monday 20 September 2010, Birmingham Monday 11 October 2010, Brighton Monday 25 October 2010, Nottingham Tuesday 9 November 2010, Manchester Monday 15 November 2010, Southampton

PERSONAL DETAILS Dr/Mr/Ms/Mrs/Prof/other: …………………..………………………………………………………………………………………. First name: ……………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Family name: ..…………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………….. Occupation/job title: …………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………… Name of organisation: ……………………………………...……………………………………………………………………… Address (for correspondence): ………………………………………………………………… ...…………..…………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Postcode: ………………………………………………...…………….. Country: …………………………………………….. Telephone: ………………………………………………. Fax: …………………………………..……….……………………. Email: …………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Please indicate which type of practice you are in:

GMS PMS APMS Special dietary requirements: …………………………………………………………………………………...…………..……. REGISTRATION FEES:

BMA Members £ 46.00 (including VAT) Membership number: ……………………………..…………… Non-members £ 80.50 (including VAT)

PAYMENT You will be bound by the BMA’s standard booking terms and conditions. Please note that we require cleared payment before your place will be confirmed.

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By cheque: I enclose a cheque * made payable to the British Medical Association for £__________________ (Please do not send cash). By credit card: Please debit my AMERICAN EXPRESS/MASTERCARD/VISA/DELTA/SWITCH (please delete as applicable)

Credit card account number: Expiry date: Issue number: Security number: Signature (essential if paying by credit card): ………………………………………………………………………………… Cardholder’s address (if different from previous): ……………………………………………………………………………… Please let us know if you require any assistance to enable you to attend/participate. If you would like to discuss your access requirements further, please contact Jane Lewis as detailed below. See over for conference booking terms and conditions C207 1305

Contact details: BMA Conferences, British Medical Association, BMA House, PO Box 295, London, WC1H 9TE. Telephone: 020 7383 6605/6137. Fax: 020 7383 6663. Email: confunit@bma.org.uk

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Programme Would you please note that the speakers will vary from region to region 12.00 - 13.00 hrs Registration and Lunch

13.00 - 13.15 hrs Welcome and Introduction

13.15 - 14.00 hrs Your employment rights

14.00 - 14.30 hrs Job Planning for Salaried GPs

14.30 - 14.45 hrs Refreshments

14.45 - 15.15 hrs LMCs and Salaried GPs

15.15 - 16.00 hrs Introduction to Negotiation for Salaried GPs

16.00 - 16.30 hrs Question and Answer Session

16.30 hrs Close

CONFERENCE BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions set out below, and should be made on the Registration Form (one form per delegate - please photocopy as necessary). 1. Submission of your booking is an offer which will be acknowledged in writing by BMA Conferences. Acceptance

of the booking will only take place if so agreed by BMA Conferences and not until receipt of cleared funds (if applicable) for the conference, and when specified in writing by BMA Conferences.

2. It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of BMA Conferences to alter the content and timing of the

conference, the identity of the speaker, the date or the venue. In the unlikely event of the conference being cancelled, we will refund you the registration fee (except in circumstances as set out in clause 9 below), but we will not be liable to you for any other costs or losses, whether direct or indirect.

3. Information from the Registration Form will be used to provide a list of delegates for circulation at the conference.

We will also process the personal data on the Registration Form, in order to ensure that necessary arrangements are made for you for the conference. This may include passing such information to the operators of the venue, for the purposes required for the conference.

4. The prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (unless otherwise specified), which shall be payable on all bookings at the

standard rate (or as amended) (VAT No 674 7384 91). 5. Please note that we may make a search with a credit reference agency, which will keep a record of that search

and may share that information with other businesses. In the case of company bookings we may also make enquiries about the principal directors with a credit reference agency.

6. If you wish to cancel your booking, please inform BMA Conferences in writing immediately.

Cancellation charges, for accepted bookings, are as a percentage of the registration fee, and are as follows: Written notice

received up to 3 weeks before date of conference 20% received up to 1 week before date of conference 50% received less than 1 week before date of conference 100%

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7. Notwithstanding the provisions regarding the timing of the receipt of the cancellation (and ensuing refund) in

clause 6, cancellations of bookings shall only be effective on the acknowledgement by BMA Conferences of receipt of such cancellations. In the absence of such acknowledgements, the bookings in question shall be deemed not to be cancelled and refunds shall not be payable.

8. You will need to comply at all times with the rules and regulations imposed by the venue. You will also need to

ensure that you have your own insurances against any loss to your property you may suffer, or any loss or damage you may cause at the conference.

9. It is regretted that no refund will be made to those registrants who have booked and paid for the conference but

who are unable to attend on the day, for whatever reason. However, substitutes may be made, provided that a name is sent in writing to BMA Conferences prior to the conference.

10. Should we be unable to perform any obligations under this Agreement due to causes or circumstances beyond

our reasonable control, including any Act of God, war or threatened war, terrorism or threatened terrorism, fire, flood, drought, strike, lock out or actions of the venue, we will not be liable to you for this.

11. This agreement is subject to the laws of England and it is agreed that the courts of competent jurisdiction shall be

the English Courts. 12. Privacy Statement

Our Privacy Charter which defines our responsibilities to you under the Data Protection Act 1998 can be found on our website at www.bma.org.uk/privacypolicy We want to keep you informed about services, campaigns, events, publications and new initiatives and to get your views on a range of issues. This may be by post or email. If you do not want us to do this, please email confunit@bma.org.ukAdditionally, we often negotiate favourable rates for a variety of externally provided services. This may be by post or email. If you do not want to take advantage of this please email confunit@bma.org.uk

BMA Conferences PO Box 295, London, WC1H 9TE Telephone: 020 7383 6605/6137

Fax: 020 7383 6663 E-mail: confunit@bma.org.uk

Web: www.bma.org.uk/conferences British Medical Association Company registered in England and Wales with registration number 8848 Registered office: BMA House Tavistock Square London WC1H 9JP Listed as a Trade Union under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974

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How to find your way around

Campus Parking Instructions You have been allocated car parking in the Main, Visitors or Central car parks within the UEA campus.

On arrival, please follow directions to any of these car parks and take an entrance ticket at the barrier, if applicable.

Please note we operate a pay & display system in the Visitors & central car parks and a pay on foot system in the Main car park, but this permit allows you to park free of charge, as a conference delegate. Please bring your car park entrance ticket to the conference office to be validated.

Please ensure that you bring your permit with you on the day of your conference and that it is displayed on your dashboard before leaving your vehicle, otherwise there is a risk that your vehicle will be clamped and you may be asked to leave campus and find alternati ve parking arrangements. If you forget your permit please contact the Conference Office on your arrival or you may have to pay to exit the car park. If you forget your permit please contact the Conference Office on your arrival.

IMPORTANT – This permit does not guarantee a parkin g space. Please arrive in good time in case you need to seek a space in an alternative car park.

PLEASE DISPLAY THE NOTICE BELOW ON YOUR DASHBOARD

PARKING PERMIT

Event Name: BMA Meeting/Event

Guest Name:

Booking Ref: Kx12711

Valid Date: From: 21/04/10 To: 21/04/10

Conference Enquiries: 01603 591111

Security: 01603 592352

conference.sales@uea.ac.uk

Appendix 3

GPC Media Coverage Report – March 2010

In March the main topics in the media regarding GPs were: Summary Care Record: The Times, Mail, Express, Guardian, Financial Times and Telegraph, on its front page, covered the BMA’s concerns about the summary care record, with a number of other follow up stories appearing later in the month, all critical of the speed of the roll-out. Self-care: A campaign to encourage patients to self-care was launched with a letter and coverage in The Times, provoking a range of responses in its letters pages as well as commentary, both positive and negative, in both the Mail and the Mirror. BMA mentions in the national and regional media:

National Regional Total Print: 39 43 82 Broadcasts: 14 35 49

SUBJECT National

broadcast National

print Fit notes - 1

Call to scrap prescription charges - 2

Summary Care Record / privacy concerns 10 21

Self Care Campaign / use of GP appointments 3 3

Swine flu - 1

GP out-of-hours - 1

GP pay - 3

Care of elderly - 2

DDRB / public sector pay freeze - 3

Sleep deprivation - 1

Protecting services / Save our Surgery campaign mention - 1

NHS drugs being sold abroad 1 -

TOTAL 14 39 SUBJECT Regional media Electronic patient records 48 General practice - self care 9 Assisted dying 3 NHS - funding 3 Abortion 2 Alcohol 2 Doctors pay and working conditions - Out of hours 2

NHS Prescription charges 2 Complementary medicine 1 Death 1 Fit notes 1

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General Practice - walk in centres 1 Smoking 1 Surgery registration 1 Press releases issued: 01/03/10 Patients are not being adequately informed about electronic patient records, says BMA 10/03/10 BMA response to announcement on doctors' pay 10/03/10 BMA calls for roll-out of electronic patient records to be suspended

Scotland BMA Mentions in the Scottish Press We do not currently have a monitoring service to pick up on broadcast mentions. The following includes BMA quotes or interviews relating to GP and public health issues. Subject Scottish Press Scottish Broadcast Out of Hours 1 Community Health Partnerships (LMC conference) 2 Alcohol Misuse 14 Physician Assisted Suicide 1 Patient Data Security (LMC conference) 3 Helmets for Horse Riders (LMC conference) 1 Violent Patients 1 NHS 24 (LMC conference) 2 GP appointments 1 Treatment of depression 1 1 Patient / Doctor communication 1 DDRB 1 Maternity Care (LMC conference) 2 GP funding (LMC conference) 2 Nuffield Report (BMA Critique) 2 Patient Rights Bill 11 Total Press Releases issued: 1 March Pregnancy and alcohol - a dangerous cocktail says BMA Scotland 11 March Scotland's doctors call for end to supermarket ‘reward' points for alcohol 11 March Financial pressures must not reduce effectiveness of Scottish general practice, warns GP

leader 18 March BMA Scotland comment on Patient Rights Bill 18 March BMA publishes critique of flawed analysis of NHS in the UK Articles/Letters: Date Author Publication Title 7/03/10 Brian Keighley Scotland on Sunday Five-point plan to fight obesity rates 19/03/10 Brian Keighley Scotsman Vulnerable groups will be at a

disadvantage. 23/03/10 Dean Marshall Scotsman Health Targets 23/03/10 Dean Marshall Herald Health Checks 25/03/10 Dean Marshall Daily Mail Unnecessary Burden (Health

Checks) 25/03/10 Dean Marshall Courier Wastefulness of SNP medicals 27/03/10 George Fernie Caledonian Mercury Why we need to change the organ

donation system.

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GPC Parliamentary and Assembly Activity Report

WESTMINSTER The Parliamentary Unit in London keeps in contact with MPs across all the political parties. Parliament has now dissolved ahead of the General Election which will be held on 6th May. Parliament will reconvene on 18th May, with the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech on 25th May. Legislation Before the dissolution of Parliament, the following pieces of legislation completed their Parliamentary stages Personal Care at Home Act: The fundamental aim of the Act is to provide free personal care at home for those with the greatest care needs. Before the Bill was introduced, local authorities were only able to provide specific community care services free of charge for up to six weeks; the Act removes this time limit. There were various efforts by members of the House of Lords to delay free personal care; these largely stemmed from concerns within local government about funding and implementation. As a result of these efforts, health ministers have agreed that new regulations will be introduced, which means that free personal care at home is unlikely to be introduced before April 2011. Children, Schools and Families Act: The BMA lobbied extensively on the Children, Schools and Families Bill, which completed its passage through Parliament in April. Concerns focussed on provisions to provide information to Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards. The BMA supports the statutory disclosure of relevant information to LSCBs in serious case reviews but was concerned that the Bill’s provisions, requiring the disclosure of relevant information to LSCB’s for the purpose of enabling or assisting in all of its functions, are too wide. The BMA is also concerned about provisions to allow the publication of the names of professional witnesses in family proceedings and the publication of personal medical information, which have remained part of the legislation. Equality Act: The Act aims to streamline the various strands of equality legislation into a single piece of legislation. Parliamentary Select Committees Also before the dissolution of Parliament, various select committees published final reports on inquiries:

Health Select Committee one-off evidence session on the use of overseas doctors in OOHs The Committee saw witnesses at a one-off evidence session on 11th March. DH Minister, Mike O’Brien and DH officials were questioned by the Committee as were also representatives from the General Medical Council, Royal College of GPs, NHS Chief Executives and Dr Fay Wilson for BADGER OOHs co-operative. GPC Chairman, Dr Laurence Buckman, also wrote to the Committee in response to the evidence session. The Committee in its final report concluded that changes must be made immediately to improve the vetting system for overseas doctors providing out-of-hours GP care in the UK. The Committee’s report can be viewed at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmhealth/441/44102.htm Health Select Committee inquiry on commissioning Some of the issues that the Health Select Committee had been considering include ‘World Class Commissioning’, the purchaser-provider split, commissioning and ‘system reform’, specialist commissioning, and commissioning for the quality and safety of services. The BMA submitted written evidence to this inquiry and Dr Hamish Meldrum appeared as a witness at the end of last year. In its final report, the Committee was critical of the purchaser/provider split and questioned whether ‘World Class Commissioning’ would lead to the necessary transformation of PCTs. The Committee’s report can be viewed at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmhealth/268/26802.htm House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee inquiry on PFI The Lords Economic Affairs Committee has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into PFI and off balance sheet debt across various sectors including hospitals. The BMA submitted written evidence to this inquiry

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and Dr Mark Porter appeared as a witness in December 2009. The inquiry is due to publish its final report this week. The Committee in its final report mentioned that it wants to see PFP spending accounted for more clearly. It also stated that Private Finance Projects are not always well suited to very large and complex schemes and that value for money tests need to be improved. It recommended that the Government learns from these lessons of the past and, in addition, considers for the future where risk transfer to the private sector might be extended (for example in the health and education sectors). The Committee’s report can be viewed at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldselect/ldeconaf/63/6302.htm Party Manifestos ahead of the Westminster General Election The Labour Party published its manifesto on 12th April. In terms of health, the manifesto aims to build a better health service by protecting NHS spending and by shifting to more preventative and personal care, clear patient guarantees and greater care in the home. More information can be viewed at: www2.labour.org.uk/manifesto-splash The Conservative Party published its manifesto on 13th April. In its approach, the manifesto outlines plans for more patient choice and moving away from targets. More information can be viewed at: http://media.conservatives.s3.amazonaws.com/manifesto/cpmanifesto2010_hires.pdf The Liberal Democrats are due to publish their manifesto on 14th April. BMA Manifesto The BMA published a manifesto document in December 2009 as the centrepiece for the Association’s General Election strategy. The manifesto captures priorities across the Association (it contains the workforce priorities of the individual branches of practice; commentary on the economic downturn and the impact on the health service; NHS reform; and also priorities for public health). The GP section on the manifesto can be viewed on page 20 of the document online at: www.bma.org.uk/lobbying_campaigning/manifesto.jsp To help BMA members contact candidates, the BMA has launched a toolkit for members who wish to take part in pre-election activities. Whether writing to candidates or arranging local events, any action helps contribute to policy at both local and national level. The toolkit contains several resources:

• A downloadable version of the BMA’s manifesto. • FAQs for members with practical advice on how to set up local meetings. • FAQs on the law surrounding political neutrality and defamation at election time. • Template emails/letters for those members that want to make contact with their local candidates. • Details for signing up to the BMA Manifesto Facebook Group as well as following the BMA on

Twitter.

BMA Parliamentary Unit 13 April 2010

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT On 3 March, the BMA appeared before the Scottish Parliament Health Committee to give oral evidence on the Alcohol Etc (Scotland) Bill. The session focussed on the evidence base and effectiveness of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol. I attended the Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference on behalf of the BMA and met with Ross Finnie (Shadow Health Secretary) and party research staff to talk about General Practice in Scotland: The Way Ahead. I also discussed the BMA’s policy on alcohol misuse with various delegates attending conference. The Scottish Parliament Health Committee published its report on Clinical Portal Technology. The BMA had provided written and oral evidence to this inquiry and our concerns regarding security of patient information featured heavily in the report recommendations. I met with Jackie Baillie, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary and her research team to discuss General Practice in Scotland: The Way Ahead. She welcomed the report and was particularly interested in our

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recommendations on access, out of hours and premises. I have also met with the Conservative research team to discuss the report – the issue of access was of particular interest to them. The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill was debated for the final time in the Scottish Parliament. The BMA briefed on concerns about widening access to patient records by non-medically qualified individuals and this was raised during the debate. The Government has made a commitment to consult the BMA on the Code of Practice for this Bill. The BMA provided oral and written evidence to an Alcohol Commission established to consider policies to tackle alcohol misuse. Dr Alan McDevitt (SGPC) and myself provided an overview of the BMA’s policies including support for minimum pricing.

Gail Grant Senior Public Affairs Officer

BMA Scotland April 2010

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