Coventry GPs talk business

GPs are to have an added managerial role as a result of changes proposed in the White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS published 12 July 2010.

At an NHS local event in Birmingham Prof Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners discusses ways in which the NHS can deliver a more efficient and cost effective service to patients.

Dr Atul Kothare says many GPs have "tremendous experience of having worked in hospitals" and are well suited to deal with more work being shifted from hospitals to general practices.

However, with this greater workload, there is an unquestionable need for a corresponding rise in available resources, both in terms of financial and management support.

Dr Jerry Horn, a GP partner at Park Leys medical practice, Coventry recognises the need for a resource increase, saying "the amount of work we now do that the hospital used to do is vast, and that hasn't been resourced financially."

The need for management support has led to the appointment of a practice manager, Chris Mullett at Park Leys - a new role that will bring much welcomed commercial experience to the setup.

He says there is a need to view general practice "as a business as well as a service."

The changes the White Paper is bringing are, without doubt, going to require GPs to develop the skills necessary to handle this.

Dr Jerry Horn says challenge will be worth it, as if they can "save money and put it elsewhere in the NHS that's got to be good for everybody".