Published: 31/03/2005, Volume II5, No. 5948 Page 7
Reluctant high-street pharmacy chains are to be tempted into providing primary care services through a new 'standardised' private sector procurement programme.
Potential private providers will be invited to bid for 'collective' contracts covering several primary care trusts this autumn.
Such companies have so far rejected the opportunity to provide in-hours primary care, such as direct access to medical tests and services for long-term conditions like diabetes, through the alternative provider medical services contract, introduced last year.
A central team will be created at the Department of Health with a£4m budget available to 'pumpprime' APMS procurement. The team will also provide advice on contract specifications and how to procure services, according to national clinical director for Primary Care Dr David Colin-Thomé.
Dr Colin-Thomé admits that the 'DoH backing will attract providers' but insists the government is not embarking on a top-down enforced national procurement programme.
'The purpose is to give advice to PCTs, ' he told HSJ. 'We want to engage with GPs in working out specifications to fit local need in order to formulate services.' He added the DoH involvement was designed to encourage a 'range of providers' into primary care - 'not just the big boys'. He suggested that the procurement programme could help GP practices that wanted to expand to get a foothold in a neighbouring SHA, for example.
Forty mainly inner city PCTs expressed an interest in the programme when details were unveiled at a DoH meeting two weeks ago.
City and Hackney PCT chief executive Laura Sharpe says her organisation has expressed interest, but warns against 'fragmentation' on primary care services by allowing companies to pick services.
'As long as we remain committed to whole population coverage, with the GP as the gatekeeper, then I think it will be another welcome string to our bow, ' she said.
NHS Confederation chief executive Gill Morgan welcomed the move, but cautioned against central take-over. 'We welcome initiatives to increase capacity and staff numbers in primary care, but it is important to ensure that PCTs remain in the driving seat. They have the knowledge and expertise to know what is required to meet the needs of their local communities.'
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