In a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Primary Care & Public Health, MPs raised concerns that the reforms will be ‘extremely costly’ and result in a ‘drop in productivity’.
The report, which was signed by members including Labour peer Baroness Thornton and GP and Conservative MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, called on the government to re-think its plans.
It said the government should approach the reforms in a ‘more measured way’ that will ensure continuity of management and leadership.
It said this could be done by strengthening GP commissioning within current structures and through reducing the size and numbers of PCTs gradually as functions are handed over to commissioning consortia.
But it said that as the government pushes ahead with the reforms it should ensure the transition period is carefully managed.
It said: ‘It is imperative the transition period is managed properly to include an effective plan for transferring the expertise that lies within these organisations and ensure the growing body of knowledge on patient and public engagement is not lost to the new commissioning consortia and the NHS Commissioning Board.’
