National Association of Primary Care

Press Release

10 January 2012

The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) welcomes the publication today of the NHS Future Forum’s second phase report and its key recommendations.  Professor Steve Field is to be congratulated in bringing to together a wide range of views and opinions of members of the public, service users and their carers, as well as those working in the NHS, in such a well argued, coherent, yet challenging report.

NAPC/NHSA Coalition Speaks Out On Commissioning Support Guidance

Press Release

15 December 2011

Yesterday, the Coalition has forwarded to the Department of Health its formal response on the Commissioning Support draft guidance: Towards Excellence.  A copy of the response is attached at the bottom of this press release.

The Coalition’s view is that PCT clusters, in partnership with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), should now be working with other sectors, including the local authority, third and independent sectors to increase the value of the commissioning offer, as well as to ensure, in the interests of the population, that the best value support is available to CCGs as soon as possible.

CCGs’ independence and self-determination crucial for local patient-centred NHS

14 December 2011

CCG configuration should not be imposed on the back of speculation around management allowance, urges the Clinical Commissioning Coalition.

Women Doctors and Clinical Leadership

Doctors leading NHS reform changes report coercion and bullying in way organisations are being set up

A new survey shows that clinical leaders in the new organisations set to take charge of the NHS in England report experiencing coercion or bullying over how their organisations are established. 60% of respondents to the question ‘Do you believe that your CCG is being coerced or bullied to alter how you are setting it up, in ways that conflict with what you feel would benefit your local population?' voted yes. There are now 257 of these emerging ‘pathfinder' clinical commissioning groups; this survey (held last week) got 67 responses.

Chairman's Blog
28th November 2011

I don’t know how many of you have been watching The Frozen Planet series on the BBC but I was struck by the huge periods of total darkness and total light that engulf both poles. In reality this was something I already knew but got to experience in a more tangible way through the exploits of others. If left me with a greater appreciation of the hardship that the wildlife has to endure. It seemed that perhaps the best times involved a balance of light and dark rather than the two extremes.

Click here to read the full BLOG

Clinical Leaders Network Self Assessment Tool

The Clinical Leaders Network released the following in their bulletin this week:

Chairman's Blog
24th November 2011

On Tuesday 22nd November we had an excellent evening at the Royal College of Physicians looking at the challenges around diabetes and integrated care. A mixture of health professionals in the auditorium heard about the challenges ahead and the need to think differently about meeting the needs of people with long-term conditions through a more integrated approached to healthcare.

http://www.napc.co.uk/index.php/chairmans-blog-24112011

'I just don't see why we have to wait'

Practical Commissioning, we have a video interview with NAPC chair, Dr Johnny Marshall where he discusses his proposal for CCGs to be able to switch PCTs for their commissioning support and what the final number of CCGs might be.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Addressing outstanding size and configuration issues

Press Release: 22/11/2011

The Clinical Commissioning Coalition, set up by the NHS Alliance and the National Association of Primary Care, has published a discussion paper on CCG size and configuration issues.

From preliminary discussions and cost analysis the paper, CCGs – Addressing outstanding size and configuration issues, notes that a CCG with less than approximately 100k population may be too small to act entirely independently with an exclusive management team and to fulfil all statutory functions.

Chairman's Blog :
11th November 2011

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi
 
Last week's NAPC conference felt like it was a great success. Much of the gloom that surrounded the Commissioning Show 2011 following the political response to the Future Forum report seems to have lifted. The mood was much more positive towards the development of CCGs with delegates wanting to know more about what others were doing so that they could in turn be more effective. The opportunity to network with over 500 other delegates with a common purpose reminded us all that support for Clinical Commissioning is alive and well and our voice within our various professions should not be suppressed by our professional bodies.

Read the full BLOG

26 October 2011

National Association Of Primary Care (NAPC)

Press Release

Following the coverage in the press on Monday of the British Medical Association’s survey, which found that seven out of ten GPs in England feared they would face conflicts of interest under the NHS reforms, Dr Johnny Marshall, Chairman of NAPC, commented that the tension between commissioning and provision had existed for many years in primary care and was not a new threat because of the introduction of the Health and Social Care Bill. 

This was the week that was..

Clinical Commissioning Coalition demands equal relationship with National Commissioning Board

17th October 2011

The new Clinical Commissioning Coalition, set up by the NHS Alliance and the the National Association of Primary Care, is demanding a new relationship between the National Commissioning Board and frontline clinical commissioners.

CCGs should not be bullied on size, says Clinical Commissioning Coalition

Press Release 

13 October 2011

Clinical Commissioning Groups, not Primary Care Trust clusters or Strategic Health Authorities, should decide their appropriate size, says the NAPC/NHS Alliance Clinical Commissioning Coalition.

NHS Greenwich and MSD work together to deliver outstanding QIPP results

London and Hoddesdon, 22 September 2011 - An innovative clinical change
management programme is delivering excellent improvements and contributing to efficiency savings for NHS Greenwich. The programme is in line with the Department of Health's QIPP Staying Healthy and Long Term Conditions initiatives and supports the more effective management of patients in general practice.

For full press release click on link below:

http://www.napc.co.uk/images/stories/napc-library/press%20release_nhs%20greenwich%20and%20msd%20work%20together%20to%20deliver%20outstanding%20qipp%20results_22%2009%2011.pdf

NAPC Press Release

15 September 2011

Secretary of State supports clinical leaders’ call for a clear vision, local autonomy and flexibility 

Local focus, with national support – this was one of the key messages coming from clinical commissioning leaders at the first independent national conference for clinical commissioning, organised by the NHS Alliance and NAPC, held in London yesterday.

Delegates, representing 126 CCGs around the country, voiced their concerns and views, around four key principles:

Clinical commissioning coalition to set up steering group

PRESS RELEASE

15/09/2011

Following the announcement of the launch of the independent coalition to support clinical commissioning and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), over the next coming weeks the NHS Alliance and the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) will form a steering group to advance this collaborative work.

Championing clinical commissioning groups

press release

13/09/2011

The NHS has served the population of this country well and, in terms of the quality of primary care delivered, remains among the leaders in world class provision. However, many things have changed since its inception in 1948, including demography, ageing population with multiple co-morbidities, advances in medicine, and the cost of delivery. The NHS is now at a point in its history where general taxation and the prevailing financial environment will no longer be able to continue to support and advance modern service provision without further development of the policy of clinical commissioning.

To this end, both NAPC and NHS Alliance have now come together, as an informal entity, provisionally known as the Coalition, for the purpose of championing clinical commissioning and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which are at the centre of the government agenda.

National Association Of Primary Care (NAPC)

Press Release

5 September 2011

In the face of current revolts from a number of quarters over the NHS reforms, NAPC would like to place on record its unwavering commitment to the change agenda.

Working together: Accountability for work as a health outcome as the NHS reforms

2020health Project Brief May 2011

Background

There is comprehensive evidence to show that getting patients back to productive and sustainable work improves health outcomes. The White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS (Jul 2010), announced the transfer of health improvement functions from PCTs to Local Authorities (LAs), the creation of GP Commissioning Consortia (GPCC) and the advent of ‘Health and Wellbeing Boards' (HWBs) by April 2012. The Health and Social Care Bill 2011, currently being debated in parliament, takes forward these ideas.

X-Genics provides THE solution to looming CQC Compliance regime

X-Genics, the supplier of expert systems for healthcare professionals,announces the release of its comprehensive electronic audit tool kit to enable NHS providersto assess their compliance status with major new regulatory requirements.

Under new rules that take effect on 1 October 2011, organisations involved in providing health and social care must be able at all times to provide evidence of continuous compliance with essential standards set out by the Care Quality Commission. The acid test for practices will be when CQC representatives make unannounced inspections demanding to see evidence of compliance, as they have begun to do with social care providers and dentists.

X-Genics to launch a much needed CQC Compliance Toolkit

X-Genics, the supplier of expert systems for NHS providers,has given the NAPC an exclusive announcement of a unique toolkit to prepare NHS providers for the upcoming Registration process from October 2011.

X-Genics scores 5 stars in every category

X-Genics, the supplier of compliance support services and software to NHS providers including GP practices, primary care trusts, opticians and dentists, has received another perfect score from one of its clients.

Patient Care 24, a leading out-of-hours (OOH) service based in Croydon, Surrey, awarded the company 5 out of 5 in every category from software and content to support and services.

Like every OOH, Patient Care 24 is keen to prepare early for Quality Care Commission registration, and wanted to ensure the highest standards of compliance.

The pace of reform continues and although there is a lot of apprehension about how the ‘new NHS' will look there is also plenty of enthusiasm. At the recent National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) conference the Secretary of State, Andrew Lansley spoke a lot about services being locally owned, driven and led, that developing and building relationships was essential and that clinical leadership would be key to making this happen. He spoke about general practice consortia and clinicians in the driving seat, and it does seem that the language around GP commissioning is changing, it feels much more inclusive of all health professionals

X-Genics appoints NIFES Consulting Group

as Health & Safety adviser

X-Genics, the provider of eManager compliance software products, is pleased to announce the appointment of NIFES Consulting Group as its preferred health and safety adviser and surveyor to help GPs better manage the changes taking place in the NHS.  The partnership will combine the technical facilities and delivery skills of X-Genics with the H&S and risk assessment experience and know-how of NIFES, helping medical practices achieve CQC compliance and a painless transition to consortium status.

X-Genics, a provider of compliance software to businesses, professional groups and public-sector organisations, today announces a new suite of eManager compliance software products to be created in collaboration with the customer services team at Kensington and Chelsea Primary Care Trust. The collaboration with the team at the west London-based NHS Trust will help make it easier to comply with regulation requirements, initially dealing with Freedom of Information requests, Complaints Handling and PALS (Patient Advice Liaison Service).

NAPC Press Release - PMS Amendment to Regulations
16 March 2010

The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) welcomed the publication last week of the PMS amending regulations. Of particular importance is the amendment to paragraph 100 of Schedule 5 of the PMS Agreements Regulations, which provides for a contract to be terminated only in cases of breach of contract, where a breach cannot be rectified, or by giving notice. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100578_en_1

NAPC survey of PCTs on the impact of NHS Complaints Regulations 2009

Results of our survey

This survey is now closed, and we would like to thank all of you who participated in this survey.

The headline results of the survey are as follows:-

• 1. It would take longer than 6 months to collate annual reports this year 12.2% (2008 - 2.8%)
• 2. 30% took on new employees or created new posts to cope with this regulation
• 3. 50% reported additional costs incurred; 45% reported no costs/savings; 5% expected savings on costs

Overall impact of legislation

75.6%               reported an increase in impact on resources

24.4%               reported no impact on resources

0%                   reported a decrease in impact on resources

Following the success of this survey, we will be conducting regular short surveys and would encourage you to respond as this will give us and other members a better idea on the effect of various issues in healthcare.

If you have suggestions for new topics which would make a good subject for a survey, please you're your ideas to the author.

Conservative Party's Manifesto

National Association of Primary Care
Press Release
5 January 2010

The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), which is an independent, non-political organisation, warmly welcomes the Conservative Party's proposals announced yesterday in its 2010 Draft Manifesto. http://www.conservatives.com/draftmanifesto/

Heatlh Maps
iQ MEDICAL PRESS RELEASE

A new insight into patient health prevalence's gives PCTs and PBC clusters the ability to plan effective interventions using a unique networked mapping tool.

Keeping people healthier for longer, reducing demand for secondary care, removing inequalities and saving money requires healthcare to be targeted at specific population groups.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Studies Group
(SRH-CSG)

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare is forming a Clinical Studies Group (CSG).The SRH-CSG will facilitate a multidisciplinary research network for research in SRH in the UK. It will provide leadership in research within the SRH community and will facilitate assessment of clinical studies which could be run
through the Reproductive Health & Childbirth National Specialty Group (RHC NSG).

In addition it will have a role in providing advice to researchers on methodology and for the organisation of approved studies.
The Faculty is looking for scientific members for the CSG and for an Executive committee which will be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the group. The full CSG will hold two face to face meetings per year and will maintain close liaison
with the National Reproductive Health Research Network (NRHRN). All activity will be supported by an SRH-CSG administrator.

ROLE OF THE SRH-CSG
• To develop and oversee an approved portfolio of studies in SRH
• To propose and develop well designed studies including trials
• To consider studies proposed by members of the group and others
• To provide specific advice to investigators
• To ensure consumer involvement
The following constituencies should ideally be represented in its membership:

http://www.fsrh.org/admin/uploads/873_CSGadvertisement.pdf

Press Release: In Response to Civitas Report;

In response to yesterday's report by Civitas, the Institute for the Study of Civil Society, NAPC's Chairman, Dr Johnny Marshall, commented: "Although I agree with Civitas' assessment of the NHS and the way in which it operates, I do not think it is yet doomed to failure". "The solution", he continued, "lies in the leadership of clinicians in delivering high quality patient care, tailored to local health needs".

Dr Marshall went on; "Through clinically-led commissioning and integrated care, where primary and secondary care clinicians operate in partnership, it is possible for the NHS to deliver high quality health care and at the same time extract value from every penny in the pound of tax payer's money. A clinically led NHS is its salvation!"

Dr Nav Chana added; "Integration is a solution to forthcoming common pressures and patients will become more aware of the total health care service offered by practices in the community".

31st July 2009

Managing Resources In A Cold Climate
The Way Forward

NAPC PRESS RELEASE

‘With the NHS predicted to have a reduction in resources  of up to 10 per cent in real terms, from 2010, solutions are needed which continue to deliver high quality health care and at the same time extract the value of every penny in every pound of taxpayers' money,' Mike Ramsden, Chief Executive of NAPC, commented.

PRESS RELEASE

NAPC introduces the eManager Complaints Handling System

An expert system for GPs allowing effortless compliance with the new NHS Complaints Regulations 2009.

NAPC is pleased to announce its partnership with X-Genics Limited, publishers of eManager, an expert system that promises to change the way medics comply with best practice and regulations. This exciting new tool provides an instant solution to the considerable confusion in the market about how best to meet legal requirements and standardise practice throughout the PCTs.

eManager by X-Genics Ltd

NAPC Membership Benefit

eManager is a simple to use interactive expert system that will allow any member of your staff to faithfully follow any procedure from Complaints and Staff Appraisal, to Accident Reporting, without any prior knowledge of the rules, policies or legislation.

It takes two minutes to learn, after which, you never have to train them again for any other procedure, because all the procedures work in exactly the same, easy, step by step manner.
Features: Built in letters and templates; Full audit trail of evidence; Reports at the touch of a button
Benefits:

• Easy to use “Learn as you use” step by step methodology
• Assured compliance as all procedures update automatically in line with the latest legislation
• Fully networked giving every member of staff access
• Prevents mistakes and oversight
• Doubles as a simulation and training tool
• The most cost effective system of its type
• Exclusive NAPC membership benefit

NAPC membership guarantees all GPs and PCTs an exclusive discount. Always quote your membership when ordering.

Need Health and Fitness staff for your PCT?
 

Leisurejobs is the most successful specialist recruiter dedicated to the health, fitness and leisure industry supplying health and fitness professionals to over 200 councils, Trusts, governing bodies, schools and universities.

Integrated Care Pilots
Programme Press Release 09.03.09

UK’s first Integrated Care pilot programme to improve patient care was announced today by NHS Surrey with Integrated Health Partners.

Practice Based Commissioning Survey

November 2008 – January 2009

NAPC conducted a review between November 2008 and January 2009 of the current progress in relation to the implementation of Practice Based Commissioning (PBC).