GPs agree settlement for contracts

Dec 6 2012

Doctors have welcomed a settlement for GP contracts after talks with the Scottish Government.

Negotiations aim to bring clinical benefits to patients, focus on more vulnerable patients, create stability for practices and address workloads, the British Medical Association (BMA) said.

Dr Alan McDevitt, chairman of the BMA's Scottish GP committee, said: "I am pleased that the Scottish Government has taken the step of negotiating a deal for changes to the general medical services contract for 2013-14. This approach is very different to that being taken by the UK Government where there is a threat to impose changes that have not been negotiated or agreed with the profession.

"The Scottish agreement has been negotiated within the framework of the UK GP contract framework. It reflects our need to manage workload in general practice and a shared desire to introduce changes that focus on the needs of our patients. The agreement provides much-needed stability for general practice funding.

"I look forward to continuing discussions with the Scottish Government on the implementation of this arrangement."

Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "The measures will bring real benefits to patients, with GPs working more closely to help those patients most at risk of hospital admission.

"I pay tribute to the leadership shown by BMA in Scotland to get us to this point. I understand they will be writing to their members with details of the deal

"The way patients are treated in our NHS is changing. GPs will be key to us successfully addressing the challenges we face. GPs will now provide extra care for those patients GPs judge to be most at risk of being admitted to hospital.

"This will improve the quality of care from the patient's perspective, promote integration of care and reduce both admissions and lengths of stay in hospital."