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 Dr John Chisholm"Some things are unlikely to change"  real 28k Prime Minister Tony Blair"Extra resources depend on change" real 28k |
Blair challenges GPs to change
Tony Blair challenged GPs to modernise the NHS (The Medical Channel)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned doctors that extra money for the NHS is dependent on them backing reforms.
He said a "bargain" was needed between ministers and GPs to ensure that modernisation of the health service went ahead.
But GPs told him they were being forced to offer a "third-rate service" because of chronic funding problems and staff shortages.
He said a "bargain" was needed between ministers and GPs to ensure that modernisation of the health service went ahead.
But GPs told him they were being forced to offer a "third-rate service" because of chronic funding problems and staff shortages.
 We are prepared to honour our part of the bargain, but I do ask you to work with us so that we can get the change that we need  |
Prime Minister Tony Blair |
They said they were working 70-hour weeks, had huge deficits in drug budgets and people were waiting two-years for out-patients appointments.
Addressing the conference from Downing Street via a video-link to a GPs conference in Harrogate, Mr Blair said he could secure resources if the deal was agreed on both sides.
"I can get the extra resources into the NHS - I can do that. But I can only do that if that is coming along with modernisation and change.
"We have got to have the commitment back. We are prepared to honour our part of the bargain, but I do ask you to work with us so that we can get the change that we need.
"The only way in the end we will get the support in the health service and from the public for extra resources and investment in the health service is if it is accompanying change and modernisation and a better service for patients."
But Dr Ian Bogle, chairman of the BMA's council, told the BBC: "He needs to find the funding pretty quickly because in some parts of the country the service is breaking down."
Defended
Mr Blair defended government policies such as the introduction of primary care groups - collections of GPs with responsibility for commissioning care - and NHS Direct, the telephone helpline for patients.
Doctors at the conference, organised by the British Medical Association, expressed concerns to the prime minister via the video-link provided by The Medical Channel.
They told him there were concerns that GPs would no longer be the first point of call for patients and that doctors were being put under too much pressure form the government's initiatives.
Newcastle upon Tyne GP Dr Helen Groom said: "We are expected to deliver more and more with less and less."
Dr Roger Chapman, a GP from Leighton Buzzard, said many GPs were "very worried" about the "instant access to healthcare culture" represented by NHS Direct.
But Mr Blair said: "I think the evidence is very clear that it works. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to deliver a new type of health service."
Earlier, Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's committee for GPs, told Radio Five Live: "I think some things are unlikely to change. At the centre of the doctor patient relationship will be the consultation in the doctor's surgery."
After listening to the prime minister and Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who delivered a similar message, Dr Chisholm said: "GPs are not hostile to change. But there did seem to be an element of 'change is happening and you better bloody well like it'.
"All over the country people are saying 'We can't deliver the services we want to deliver.' We can succeed but we need the resources to succeed."
Addressing the conference from Downing Street via a video-link to a GPs conference in Harrogate, Mr Blair said he could secure resources if the deal was agreed on both sides.
"I can get the extra resources into the NHS - I can do that. But I can only do that if that is coming along with modernisation and change.
"We have got to have the commitment back. We are prepared to honour our part of the bargain, but I do ask you to work with us so that we can get the change that we need.
"The only way in the end we will get the support in the health service and from the public for extra resources and investment in the health service is if it is accompanying change and modernisation and a better service for patients."
But Dr Ian Bogle, chairman of the BMA's council, told the BBC: "He needs to find the funding pretty quickly because in some parts of the country the service is breaking down."
Defended
Mr Blair defended government policies such as the introduction of primary care groups - collections of GPs with responsibility for commissioning care - and NHS Direct, the telephone helpline for patients.
Doctors at the conference, organised by the British Medical Association, expressed concerns to the prime minister via the video-link provided by The Medical Channel.
 Dr Roger Chapman: "GPs worried" (The Medical Channel) |
Newcastle upon Tyne GP Dr Helen Groom said: "We are expected to deliver more and more with less and less."
Dr Roger Chapman, a GP from Leighton Buzzard, said many GPs were "very worried" about the "instant access to healthcare culture" represented by NHS Direct.
But Mr Blair said: "I think the evidence is very clear that it works. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to deliver a new type of health service."
Earlier, Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's committee for GPs, told Radio Five Live: "I think some things are unlikely to change. At the centre of the doctor patient relationship will be the consultation in the doctor's surgery."
After listening to the prime minister and Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who delivered a similar message, Dr Chisholm said: "GPs are not hostile to change. But there did seem to be an element of 'change is happening and you better bloody well like it'.
"All over the country people are saying 'We can't deliver the services we want to deliver.' We can succeed but we need the resources to succeed."
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