The Conservatives have confirmed they will force GPs to take back responsibilities for out-of-hours by entering into new contract negotiations.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, new health secretary Andrew Lansley said: “GPs should be responsible. There will need to be a new contract to make this point.”
Under Conservative plans, responsibility will be handed back from PCTs to GPs working in local groups, who will commission services or provide them by working in rotas through co-operatives.
GPC chairman Dr Laurence Buckman said he would not oppose responsibility for commissioning out of hours services being included in the contract.
“GPs involvement in out-of-hours commissioning will be a positive thing for GPs and their patients,” said Dr Buckman.
Read more at Healthcare Republic.
Tags: Out-of-hours
