The investigation was published today.
This scheme is being rolled out in Birmingham, where the Birmingham South Central CCG is offering GP practices a payment equating to over £11,000 per practice to reduce hospital referrals.
The scheme even applies to urgent cancer referrals, where patients should be seen within 2 weeks but implementation of this new scheme runs the risk that a referral might not happen at all.
The General Practitioners Committee has called the scheme “ethically questionable” and GPs have asked the General Medical Council to investigate.
Ann Houghton, specialist clinical negligence solicitor at Anthony Collins Solicitors commented;
“It is extremely concerning to learn that such a scheme even exists. We all appreciate that changes need to be made to manage the NHS budget so as to protect the NHS for future generations but patient safety must always be paramount. A line has been crossed when saving money is directly and categorically jeopardising patient safety. Such a scheme will undoubtedly risk lives. At Anthony Collins Solicitors we already help patients who have suffered because GPs have delayed referring to specialists, especially when cancer is suspected, but sadly it would seem the number of patients affected in this way is going to rise because of this scheme. It is also important to bear in mind the effect this will have on hard-working, devoted GPs who are put under pressure to cut corners and not able to provide the level of care they feel they should.”
For more information or to discuss any of the issues in this article, contact Ann Houghton.
Anthony Collins Solicitors scooped ‘Excellence in Client Service - Private Clients’ at Birmingham Law Society’s 2021 Legal Awards.
Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS) has appointed a new partner to its Manchester office in a move to grow its presence in the North West.
The monthly round-up from the Anthony Collins Solicitors charities team
A party seeking to restrict another's commercial activities must consider whether such terms are normal in similar, factual and contractual circumstances.
This ebriefing considers the Government’s proposals for challenges, as set out in Chapter 7 of the Green Paper entitled 'Fast and fair challenges'.
We’re delighted to announce that we have been ranked in the top five national legal advisers in the Top 3000 Charities 2021 directory.
The Law Commission published its report on Technical Issues in Charity Law in September 2017 following a public consultation.
Changing charitable purposes and amending governing documents.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.