Starting off with millions of pounds worth of deficits will mean GP-commissioning is doomed to fail, a raft of organisations have warned.
The NHS Alliance say the issue will become a ‘deal breaker’ in deciding whether GPs embrace the plans.
Dr David Jenner, GMS/PMS lead at the NHS Alliance, said he believed ‘the default position’ will be that existing PCT deficits are passed on to the consortia that replace them.
‘It will make it really difficult for them,’ said Dr Jenner. ‘If your pay will be linked to performance – what if your performance starts on minus three, rather than zero?’
GPC member Dr Nigel Watson said GP commissioning would be a ‘non-starter’ if consortia had to begin operating with large deficits.
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