Following the recent political shake up, one item that remains near the top of any political agenda is reform of the out of hours service.
Under the Labour Government, GPs signed a new contract in 2004 allowing the out of hours service to be out sourced to contractors. This, in effect, led to less and less GP’s continuing with out of hours practice.
February’s inquest into death of Mr David Gray, killed by an overdose of diamorphine given by an EU doctor during an out-of-hours visit, raised grave concerns about out-of-hours care in the UK and triggered an inquiry by the House of Commons Health Committee. Clinical negligence experts, Anthony Collins Solicitors, who represent Mr Gray’s family, commented: "This change of contract has been linked to a number of tragedies, including the death of David Gray of a drug overdose given by an overseas doctor provided by an out of hours contractor."
Under the new coalition Government Andrew Lansley has been appointed as Health Secretary. Mr Lansley recently gave an interview confirming the coalition Government would move to allowing GP’s to become responsible for out of hours care.
Whilst this will not mean a return to the pre-2004 out of hours system, where GP’s were on call around the clock, it will mean a move from contracts being arranged by Primary Care Trusts back to GP’s working in local groups who will commission services to others or provide them by working in rotas through co-operatives.
Mr Lansley has also commented on the need to ensure any out of hours doctors from overseas have the relevant language skills to ensure they are fit to practice as a GP in this country.
Initial contract talks are due to take place in the not so distant future but it seems steps are being taken in the right direction.
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