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THE NASGP was founded in January 1997 by
Dr Richard Fieldhouse. Dr Fieldhouse completed vocational training in 1995 and
then founded the Chichester Locum Group (CLOG). In doing so he reduced local
locums’ professional and social isolation and by sending regular
newsletters to local practices made the finding of locums much easier.
Dr Fieldhouse became the first Chairperson of the National Association of
Non-Principals. He chaired an enthusiastic group through a packed agenda
creating a solid foundation from which the association could go forward. A
draft Constitution was agreed, an Executive of four and Council (of
representatives from local non-principal groups) was established. Six task
forces were set up to consider the main issues affecting non-principals. The
NASGP has become a vital umbrella organisation for non-principal groups across
the UK.
This historic inaugural meeting was convened only through Dr Fieldhouse’s
huge personal efforts and those of the other members of the NASGP Council.
Together they worked, in their own time, with little financial backing.
Motivation, perseverance and innovation have brought about enormous change in
the brief time the NASGP has been in existence. The fact that you are reading
this book is one small example of the achievements so far. In October 1997 Dr
Fieldhouse’s personal achievements were recognised when he became the
winner of the first Non-Principal of the Year award.
The success of the NASGP has been phenomenal. As non-principal groups across the
country have sprung up, aided by the information the NASGP has provided,
membership has grown from nothing to over 1000 (March 1998). At the same time
the organisation has received outstanding support from the GP press which has
given unprecedented coverage to non-principal issues. Within the first year
over 200 articles were published about the NASGP and non-principal issues in the
GP and national press.
The organisation has also received warm encouragement from every national
organisation in general practice, including the NHS Management Executive, the
Chief Medical Officer, the General Medical Services Committee, the Royal
College of General Practitioners, the National Association of General Practice
Tutors, the Small Practices Association, the 21st Annual GP Registrar
Conference and the Medical Defence Union.
Specific achievements:
- the 1998 pay review body invited the NASGP to submit evidence
to it for non-principals’ pay. Non-principals’ income and the role of
the NASGP were formally mentioned in the review body’s report.
- NHS funding to write this handbook for
non-principals.
- established a presence on the world wide web, with a
discussion forum.
- acted as a central register for new non-principal groups and
nationally published contacts for these.
- published national newsletters with sponsorship from Update
and Schering.
- piloted the practice pack.
- publication of a Code of Good Practice which aims to set
standards on the way non-principals and principals work together.
- inclusion of non-principals in the JICMARS (drug company
funded market research) survey so that publishers of the medical press will
have a greater incentive to include non-principals in the free distribution of
the publications.
- Superannuation - meetings with the NHS Executive and BMA to
discuss inclusion of self employed locums in the NHS Pension Scheme.
- representation on the GMSC Non-Principal subcommittee
- representation on the BMA’s Private Fees
Committee
- collaboration with the BMA’s Research Unit to
investigate exploitation of assistants.
- persuaded the Department of Health to print a prompt (to
principals) on all CMO urgent communication letters reminding them to show the
letter to non-principals working for them.
- representation at a national non-principal education
workshop in June 1997.
- participation in SCOPME report for Secretary of State on
non-principals’ educational needs.
- collaboration with the RCGP to identify and tackle
difficulties faced by non-principals that have an impact on patient
care.
- the offer of free meeting rooms at all Healthcall offices
throughout the country.
- discussions with a software company about an electronic
booking system for locums.
Aims and Objectives
Aims
- to achieve independent national representation for all
non-principals.
- to achieve equivalent status for non-principals to that of
GP principals.
- to promote and support the identification of
non-principals.
Objectives
- Represent all GP non-principals who are eligible to work in
NHS general practice and who perform any NHS non-· principals’ GP
work. GP registrars and GP principals will be welcome as associate
members.
- Commission and co-ordinate research into the welfare of
non-principals.
- Recognition of and remuneration for continuing medical
education.
- Recognition of non-principals’ work-experience in terms
of seniority and parity.
- Publish guidelines for a professional code of conduct, both
for non-principals and employers.
- Publish and distribute a handbook to contain all relevant
information for non-principals.
- Provide help for local non-principals by promoting and
supporting local non-principal groups to provide a setting for relief of social
and professional isolation.
- Disseminate information relevant to all non-principals via
the Non-Principal Newsletter.
- Reassess and negotiate guidelines for pay.
- Obtain equal pension rights for non-principals to that of GP
principals.
- Hold an annual conference.
Joining
Please join with the NASGP to help to achieve these aims. The NASGP is only as
strong as it is big.
NASGP Membership
PO Box 188
Chichester
West Sussex PO19 2ZA
Fax: 01243 536428
NASGP Web Site: www.nasgp.org.uk
E.mail: info@nasgp.org.uk
Update from the
NASGP Webmaster May 1999
For up to date membership rates, information and application form please
visit our Membership
page.
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