| Press Release 18th August 1998 |
NASGP gives advice to non-principal groups (NPGs) on
PCGs
The NASGP has today written to
its 59 associated NPGs giving advice on membership to PCG governing
bodies.
After several successful meetings with
the Department of Health over the summer, the NASGP were consulted on the latest
Health Service Circular (HSC 1998/139 Developing Primary Care groups) and thus
were able to obtain clarification of the role of non-principals in primary care
groups and their respective governing bodies.
The HSC suggests that
successful PCGs are those likely to draw upon all the experience and expertise
of their stakeholders, with a substantive role for non-principals in support of
the delivery of General Medical Services.
Dr Peter Harvey, leader of the
NASGPs' Fees and Superannuation Task Group, said
“This latest
supportive guidance clarifies the departments' view that non-principals are GPs
within their own right and are equally placed to participate as GP members of
governing bodies. This equal status is precisely what the NASGP has been
campaigning for, for the last 18 months.
All that now remains to be done
is to convince our colleagues of the need to have non-principals as board
members."
NASGP Chairman Dr Richard Fieldhouse, a non-principal in
Chichester, said:
"Without doubt, PCGs will change the ways in which
non-principals work, and both parties need to be equally committed. To ensure
that these changes are for the best, it is vital that local non-principals are
involved from an early stage. We envisage that PCGs could have an increasing
influence on education (the new PGEA system of Professional Practice
Development Plans - PPDPs - will be influenced, if not controlled, by the PCG);
working hours; negotiating powers; working status - whether employed as an
assistant/retainer or contracted as a locum - and income and/or
fees.
Equally, non-principals will have an effect on the way PCGs work:
broad range of experience; professional expertise; 20% of the local workforce;
flexibility; clinical governance and accountability."
All GPs, whether
non-principals, principals or registrars, are welcome to join the
NASGP. For
further information, write to: NASGP Membership
PO Box 188
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 2ZA
|
18/11/99
Please note the
address for contacting the NASGP is now:
NASGP, PO BOX 188, Chichester,
West Sussex, PO19 1FP
The address for sending membership
applications as as follows. Further details and an application form can be
found at the Membership Application
page.
NASGP Membership, Freepost 6352, PO Box 6352, London N1
1RS |
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