Tories may ignore DDRB and ask firms to print data on GPs

A Conservative government could employ private firms to publish performance data on individual GPs.

Mr Simmonds: service and outcome data vital to patient choice

In an interview with GP, shadow health minister Mark Simmonds said giving patients real choice would mean publishing more information about both services and outcomes.

'We may want to drill down into the performance of individual doctors, to enable patients to make informed choices about where they receive their treatment,' he said.

He added that the Tories hope to replace NHS Choices with a 'plethora of providers'.

The NHS Information Centre would be tasked with collecting data on patient experience and outcomes at different practices.

'Once that's been verified and benchmarked a range of providers can purchase that and present it in a way that's understandable to patients,' he said.

Mr Simmonds also declined to pledge to abide by pay advice from the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB).

'Of course we'll listen to the review body,' he said, 'but that doesn't mean we're always going to agree ... It'll be a matter for the chancellor of the exchequer to make those decisions.'

Shadow chancellor George Osbsorne has already pledged a pay freeze for public sector staff earning over £18,000 a year.

GPC chairman Dr Laurence Buckman warned against over-ruling DDRB advice. 'If we're going to have to abide by what the review body does, we expect everybody else to as well.'

Have you registered with us yet?

Register now to enjoy more articles and free email bulletins

Register

Already registered?

Sign in


Just published

Sign pointing to hospital

NHS England seeks to clarify GPs' responsibilities when using advice and guidance

New guidance from NHS England has set out the clinical responsibilities and medicolegal...

Widespread joint pain - red flag symptoms

Presentations and red flag symptoms that may alert you to potentially serious conditions...

Talking General Practice logo

Podcast: Supporting neurodivergent doctors and staff in general practice

Talking General Practice speaks to GPs Dr Beckie Akroyd and Dr Catherine Bell about...

BMA Scotland GP committee chair Dr Andrew Buist

General practice in Scotland 'in serious trouble', warns BMA Scotland GP chair

General practice in Scotland has reached a tipping point, with demand far outstripping...

Hospital entrance

NHS England issues warning over norovirus and rising winter pressures

Almost three times as many people were in hospital with norovirus last week compared...

BMA Northern Ireland GP committee chair Dr Alan Stout

Northern Ireland GPs face deepest-ever crisis as practices hand back contracts

Northern Ireland's GP leader has warned that general practice in the region is facing...