Doctors.net.uk launches GP commissioning resource

July 26, 2010 - PRLog -- A dedicated online resource has been launched this week to help doctors deliver the new commissioning process announced in Andrew Lansley’s white paper on 12th July 2010.  

The microsite, www.doctors.net.uk/commissioning was created for members by Doctors.net.uk, the largest and most active network of medical professionals in the UK, after opinion polls and comments made on the network’s fora revealed that the majority of doctors feel that they need more information and support in order to make the outlined changes to the commissioning of services for healthcare.

Under the new system proposed by the health secretary, doctors will be responsible for commissioning all care for local communities.  Designed to rid the NHS of top-down bureaucracy, the reform aims to bring together the management of care with the management of resources to ensure patients’ wishes and needs are met.  

The new microsite is designed to provide clear information about the planned reforms and to provide a trusted forum for doctors across general practice, public health and hospital-based services to collaborate online with ideas and examples of best practice.  Providing a central resource, it enables doctors to keep abreast of the very latest developments relating to the white paper and to plan how to translate the concept into reality.  

Content includes a concise summary of the key points made in the white paper and responses posted by key organisations including the BMA and King’s Fund, in addition to providing direct access to the white paper and relevant news articles, presentations and interviews.

A Doctors.net.uk poll revealed 83% of doctors do not feel adequately equipped to make the outlined changes to commissioning with that figure rising to a staggering 93% amongst GPs who are at the forefront of implementing the reform.

Doctors.net.uk medical adviser, Dr James Quekett, said: “Naturally there is a lot of excitement about the white paper but also much uncertainty about the new plans for GP commissioning.  With allocation of time, resource and funding still to be resolved, GPs are expressing concern about how the reform will work in practice, and are pointing out that for this to work all doctors need to be engaged and involved– not just GPs.

“Bringing all of the available information together and providing the opportunity to discuss and collaborate in one place, it not only equips doctors with the facts they need to make informed opinions on reform, but it also gives grass-roots doctors a voice on the issue.”

The microsite will act as an evolving resource, with content refreshed as consultation gets underway and further developments are unveiled.

“We can’t predict what the future outcome for GP commissioning will turn out to be but we can at least ensure that doctors are informed and involved throughout this intense period of change to give it the best chance of success” concluded Dr Quekett.

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Doctors.net.uk is the largest and most active network of medical professionals in the UK.

Doctors.net.uk has a membership comprising the vast majority of UK doctors. Each week over 50,000 use the service making it the online resource most frequently used by doctors. The network provides extensive clinical content including online education, conference highlights, user-generated content and fora for discussion. This array of content supports doctors in making the best decisions for the care of their patients. In surveys, 97% of members of the network say that Doctors.net.uk is their most trusted source of information.

The network was created for doctors, by doctors in 1998. Some 600 doctors now act as advisers and clinical information contributors. Credibility and integrity of all published materials is assured thanks to a code of absolute transparency for all information and an experienced editorial team.