#News

The UK-wide contract is heading for collapse in three to five years as NHS reforms create a 'gulf' between England and the other UK nations, GPC leaders warned in an exclusive GP magazine splash on Thursday.

• Read the full story here

 

#Twitter

Christmas is coming and glad tidings to the BMA (@TheBMA) and its bid to do its festive recycling bit.

Dr Tom Dolphin, chairman of the BMA’s UK junior doctors’ committee (@thomasdolphin), tweeted:

#weekinreview says: ‘Bah humbug!’ to anyone waiting for a card from us.

Some wise words for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) from King’s Fund chief executive Professor Chris Ham (@profchrisham) who tweeted:

RCGP chairwoman and Twitter heroine Dr Clare Gerada (@clarercgp) tweeted at Health Bill hater Dr Kailash Chand (@KailashChandOBE):

Meanwhile, GP Dr Eric Rose (@DoctorAngry) was sitting on the fence with regards health secretary Andrew Lansley:

#weekinreview is consulting its advisors for an appropriate response.

 

#Buryinggoodnews

A new hashtag but once again one #weekinreview feels the DH press team (@DeptHealthPress) more than merits. We’re still waiting for the press release heads-up about the wondrous new world of telehealth which both saves lives and money.

A hearty handshake to the team for remembering not to spare us the unforgettable monthly update on ambulance quality indicators though.

 

#Blogs

Paul Corrigan, GP columnist, management consultant and former special adviser to Tony Blair (@Paul_Corrigan), blogged about health secretary Andrew Lansley's latest political manoeuvring:

It may well mean that the government really wishes it hadn’t started this reform programme but, let’s be honest, it’s a bit late for that.'

 

Dr Steve Kell (@SteveKellGP), chairman of the Bassetlaw Commissioning Organisation in Nottinghamshire, blogged about power, commissioning and letting go:

GPs and other clinicians do have some power to influence commissioning decisions, to determine strategy and to spend real budgets. However this may have caused some dissatisfaction as 2013 approaches and the reality of commissioning complexities become apparent. GPs and other clinical commissioning group (CCG) clinicians have had power given to them, but now (before 2013) we need to accept and learn how to share power, let go of some roles and ensure that the system works in the best way for the patients.'

 

#FollowFriday

 

 

@gponlinenews for all the primary care news that matters. Individual news streams @CooperColin @EmmaBower @NeilDurham @TomMoberly @NickBostock @emiliereymond @SH_Robinson @Susie_Sell @Abi_Rimmer @AoifeMLynch @pphensler @emiliereymond

#TopTweetsNextWeek

@susie_sell from the post GMC meeting press briefing Wednesday.

 

@abi_rimmer from the post GPC meeting press briefing Thursday.