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Personal Medical Services (PMS)The NAPC is the only membership organisation which has consistently and vigorously supported the PMS scheme since its inception whatever the political landscape because it offers both patients and practices opportunities for the flexible and innovative delivery of healthcare. The Association has also actively supported PMS practices, addressing their queries and concerns, as well as successfully lobbying and fighting for the scheme's permanency. We continue to support member PMS practices through a helpline service, both email and telephone: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 020 7636 7228 NAPC Position on PMS Contract Negotiations
NAPC recognises the need for PMS contractors to demonstrate value for money against their PMS contracts. To read the full Position Paper click on following link: Position Paper
A call to all PMS PracticesThe attached flyer from Lockhart's and the letter below give a flavour of the real and present threat to PMS. In response to members' concerns we would like to call on all PMS practices to act collectively to support one another and ensure that PMS becomes again the focus for primary care innovation that it was intended to be. For too long it has been suggested that, because PMS is a local contract, there is no possibility of national support. We do not accept this. We have lobbied for the rights of PMS practices over the years and it is now time for practices to stand up and be counted. Please do not rely on other PMS colleagues to sort this out for you. 40% of practices operate under a PMS contract. We have strength in numbers. Some of the responsibility for your survival now rests with you and we would therefore ask that you consider joining the NAPC's programme to protect your future. We would therefore ask all PMS practices to consider: Preferably, we would ask you to join the NAPC. The fees are listed on the link below. We rely on membership fees and sponsorship to provide us with the resources to pursue your PMS issues more fully without having to operate a fighting fund. We will have the option to sign up for the fighting fund should it prove necessary and you NAPC membership will be deducted from the total. This will give you the added benefits, among many, of being able to take part in our PMS forum discussions and reduced fees for you and your staff to attend our conferences. Registering with the NACP as a PMS practice, whether or not you decide to become a member. We have strength in numbers but we are aware some areas have already formed support groups. We will keep you updated on developments via email. You will have the option to sign up to contribute to the fighting fund and join the NAPC in future. Click on this link if you would like to join the NAPC: JOIN If you know of other practices who may be unaware of this initiative, please could you forward a link to this site to them? The Fighting Fund The NAPC has a long history of working constructively with other organisations whatever the political climate. It is with regret therefore that PMS has been seen as an easy target for thoughtless cost-cutting by PCTs that fail to see the benefit of using the PMS contract to develop primary care. Many have opted to use APMS for political reasons, despite the fact that PMS offers similar flexibilities. You will see from the Lockhart's letter that to protect PMS we need to prepare for a process of escalation. At this stage, we can advise members who are under pressure on strategies that have been consistently successful in preventing PCTs from using apocalyptic contractual mechanisms. However, we need to collectively prepare for the Judicial Review stage, should it ever prove necessary. The possible costs run well into six figures and there is no point commencing the process unless we are sure we have sufficient funds committed to support the process. We are working with Lockhart's because of their long history in primary care, have no conflict of interest in that they do not represent PCTs and have a full understanding of a case successfully defended on behalf of our dental colleagues in a similar contract, Personal Dental Services. We have agreed a fee of 10p per patient for practices who wish to contribute to protect their future. This would not be called upon unless a threat becomes imminent and members will have their membership fee deducted from the total. We hope to hear from you soon on the links above or via email or telephone: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 020 7636 7228
Latest PMS NewsNAPC Press Release - PMS Amendment to Regulations 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 Press Release - GP contract crisis Recent amendments to the regulations covering PMS contracts may do little more than confirm the rights of PCTs and general practices to withdraw from PMS contractual arrangements where appropriate. But inadequate actions being taken by some PCTs in relation to those contracts could lead to a catastrophe for the NHS, warns NAPC. To read the full article click here article
Letter To all PMS practices Lockharts PMS Flyer - download here: flyer Dear Colleague, In response to an unprecedented number of requests for help from PMS practices who are under pressure from PCTs to accept unreasonable contract variations, The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) is currently involved in a constructive dialogue with the Department of Health regarding this issue. However, we do not expect further departmental guidance in this electoral period. In light of these concerns NAPC would like to invite PMS practices to join forces to provide collective support to combat inappropriate threats by PCTs to remove contracts under Schedule 5 Para 100 of the PMS regulations, with the possibility of mounting a legal challenge if necessary. To read the full article click here letter PMS on the NAPC Website - click here NAPC on PMS and in the GP Press NAPC to build 'fighting fund' to defend PMS practices NAPC urges legal challenge over PMS contract changes LMC Support for PMS GPs Criticised Secret documents pave way for new PMS crackdown PMS crackdown flouted data rules
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