Urgh. GP surgery having a laugh!

who (if anyone) from here was on Annie Othen show this morning

I suspect many of the problems are caused by practice staff blindly believing the telecoms companies salespeople when they are told that these are local calls.

Congrats on the baby OP.

We're fortunate here to not have such a system implemented, but getting an appointment is still bloody difficult.

After one of our children I developed mastitis. I felt dreadful, wanted to simply remain in bed and not do anythng, but I had to go to the Leaver's Service at the primary school. I knew I'd not go out again if I went home first, so i simply turned up at reception saying 'I have mastitis, can I see someone please.' They were very cooperative.

Silent_Calls_Victim wrote: »

Mr McIvor is one of a number of PCT Chief Executives who are in the course of being covered by complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for having formed a policy of tolerating use of 084 numbers by GPs in breach of their statutory duty to have regard to the NHS Constitution in performing their functions.

Wonder why. Does he have friends in the 0844 business?

JohalaReewi wrote: »

Wonder why. Does he have friends in the 0844 business?

... Maybe not in the sense that was meant, but there is a problem here.


The NHS relies greatly on the skills and professionalism of GPs. Since its foundation there has been tension between the NHS itself and GPs who retain their independence as practitioners. It creates problems, but I see that tension as a strength of a well loved institution that has lasted over 60 years.

GPs were indeed opposed to the NHS initially, however that position has been largely reversed over the sixty years in which they have grown up in it and come to love it, at least in concept. It is therefore deeply disappointing that the BMA GPC has adopted a policy of opposition to the principles of the NHS over the issue of patients paying to subsidise surgery telephone systems.

It is right that GPs should defend their own interests and what their professional judgement leads them to see as the interests of each one of their individual patients. These do however need to be set in balance with the wider public interest, as the NHS is a universal public service, funded from taxation.

This balancing role is fulfilled by PCTs - however as separate local bodies, they do not show themselves as being sufficiently strong against the organised pressure that may be exerted through the BMA. Indeed, the Department of Health and the government do not have a good record in negotiating with the BMA.

In its proposed health service reforms, the current government has sadly either missed the point about the need for GPs to remain independent from a strong and well managed NHS, or has deliberately handed them power in order to help to destroy it. That is a separate issue in itself, but it has contributed to the further weakening of the relative position of PCTs.


Mr McIvor, in common with most of his colleagues, has simply been drawn in to support the position promoted by the BMA. The BMA openly declares its opposition to the purpose of the contract revisions, drafted to prohibit use of expensive telephone numbers, and suggests a wholly ineffective approach to enforcement of the provisions.

Although the situation could have been made clearer, PCTs have the contractual terms imposed on GPs to cause them to move away from 084 numbers and the necessary enforcement powers (through the courts) that could be used in the last resort. By choosing not to press the issue and threaten this route, PCTs are neglecting their statutory duty to apply the NHS Constitution.[FONT=&quot]

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[/FONT] The Annie Othen show continued with an interview with a local GP who does not use a 084 number, but tries to explain why some other GPs do so. A recording of this interview (preceded by a reprise of the earlier comments) is available at this link.