A senior doctor has warned GPs are under “unrelenting” pressures and many will be unaware of proposals to move their contracts out of the NHS.

Dr Chris Williams, Joint Chair of the Royal College of GPs Scotland, voiced concern that “such a significant proposal…is included within a hefty consultation document” on setting up a National Care Service.

Many doctors were 'surprised' to hear of the move, he said.

It follows BMA Scotland describing the plans as not ‘viable or acceptable’.

The Scottish government has since insisted that GPs and primary care staff will continue to be an “integral” part of the NHS.

A government consultation on the wide-ranging reforms, which predominately deal with social care, closes in just over two weeks.

When announcing the proposals, Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said he wanted to create a “comprehensive community health and social care service”.

The document suggests GPs’ contracts should be managed by new Community Health and Social Care Boards, which would be part of a National Care Service that ultimately answers to ministers.

Currently, most practices have contracts with their local NHS boards.

Dr Williams, a GP in the Highlands, told healthandcare.scot: “Historically, general practice services have been delivered through an independent contractor model with the NHS providing a direct connection for service delivery.

“Primary care management within NHS boards has been a vital resource to enable the delivery of the highest standard of patient care. 

“Since the consultation was launched, we have heard from our members about their surprise at the potential for contracts to be shifted from NHS organisations.

“Many have also expressed concern that such a significant proposal for general practice is included within a hefty consultation document and as a result may not have come to the attention of GPs who continue to face unrelenting workload pressures.”

The man who authored a review that recommended the changes, Derek Feeley, has defended the move.

He told a parliamentary committee: “We do not envisage there being a massive shift in the current arrangements; it is much more about tidying up.”

Dr Williams said: “We recognise that local authorities have expertise in delivering social care and when reimagining what social care could look like in Scotland, we wouldn't want to undermine the existing support mechanisms for general practice.  

"As an organisation, we are currently formulating our response to the consultation, which will reflect the views and concerns that we have heard from our members.”

The Scottish government has said it will “fully consider” any points raised during the consultation process.

 

Read More: Government denies move to take GPs out of NHS; ’No target’ for face to face GP appointments; Joint warning over GP contract progress

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