GP Contract Reviews

11-Jun-09

GP contracts will need to be reviewed to ensure they are designed to drive efficiency and productivity as PCTs prepare for 3% spending reductions, according to managers.

This is one of the recommendations of report Commissioning in a cold climate by the NHS Confederation's PCT Network launched today at its annual conference in Liverpool.

Yesterday managers warned that spending cuts meant the NHS faces a funding shortfall of up to £15bn in the five years beyond 2011.

The report highlights a number of ways in which commissioners can improve quality in the NHS by driving efficiency and productivity through best practice, reducing the price of services and volumes of activity and looking at cheaper, high quality options available.

It warns improved efficiency and productivity will require ‘active decommissioning' of certain services and a reduction in capacity, including infrastructure and staff.

PCT Network director David Stout said: ‘Policymakers, commissioners and clinical staff all have a part to play in making sure that standards of care do not drop as financial constraints loom.'

neil.durham