Hello again. I'm on the train back to London. It's 4.30pm and pitch dark
outside!
The GP Commissioning Conference was excellent, with lots of
parallels with HealthPathways and loads of lessons for us.
There were many
messages, but I think the overwhelming one was that the change from Primary Care
Trusts to Commissioning Groups represents a "revolution"in healthcare in the UK.
This word was used over and over again along with the exhortation to seize this
once in a lifetime chance. The main political players spoke and all were, to me,
startlingly deferential to clinicians! The Secretary of State for Health
(Minister) Andrew Lansley, said that he had worked hard to hand back control to
GPs and other clinicians because he realized that only those delivering care
could truly lead the changes that need to occur. Along with the Medical Director
of the NHS, Sir Bruce Keogh, Sir David Nicholson, the CE of the NHS and others,
he said that the role of the bureaucracy was to support clinicians to
lead.
The other strong messages were about localising care for patients and
the need to break down traditional barriers. Despite the positivity, there was
also a sense of fatigue amongst some who had been working at this for a number
of years.
Will elaborate over the next few blogs as I digest all the new
information!
Localising care for patients? now that sounds familar! hopefully we are starting from a much more funded and functional platform!
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