GP federation explained

GP Federations became popular among English general practitioners after 2010 as a means to exploit the opportunities[1] —or mitigate the threats—posed by the Five Year Forward View proposals in the English NHS which envisaged delivering primary care at a larger scale than the traditional GP list. It is widely believed that ‘Practices cannot survive on their own – they have to look at ways of making themselves stronger.’ 15 sites were selected in December 2015 to test new enhanced primary care models serving populations of 30,000 to 50,000 patients.[2] Some, but by no means all, clinical commissioning groups have given financial support to encourage the formation of federations.[3]

As the British Medical Association explains there are many names and many organisational forms: federations, networks, collaborations, joint ventures, alliances. By 2017 it appeared that GP Federations were the commonest titles for collaborative arrangements which fall short of full merger or partnerships.[4] Both the BMA and the Royal College of General Practitioners were keen to support such developments, the RCGP having encouraged them since 2008.[5]

In January 2019 NHS England told clinical commissioning groups that they must establish primary care networks, typically covering 30-50,000 people, in their areas by 30 June. £1.50 per head of population per year is to be committed to ‘developing and maintaining’ them. The plan says networks 'will comprise a range of staff such as GPs, pharmacists, district nurses, community geriatricians, dementia workers and AHPs such as physiotherapists and podiatrists/chiropodists, joined by social care and the voluntary sector'. It is expected that the GP contract will be changed to require every practice to join one, and that all local enhanced services will be funded through the networks.[6]

Active federations

Yorkshire Health Network - covers all 17 practices within NHS Harrogate and Rural District

Defunct Federations

Danum Medical Services Ltd, set up in Doncaster by 23 local shareholding practices went into administration in March 2016 after losing contracts for an extended hours hub and GP out-of-hours services.[59]

Horizon Health Choices Ltd. in Bedfordshire went bankrupt in November 2016.[60] It was forced to employ locum doctors which proved unsustainably expensive.[61]

Notes and References

  1. News: 'GP federations' are the future of the NHS. 23 May 2017. Telegraph. 11 March 2010.
  2. News: GPs in 15 areas to pilot 50,000-patient 'primary care home' model. 24 May 2017. GP Online. 18 December 2015.
  3. News: Practices given tens of millions of pounds to support them in federating. 24 May 2017. Pulse. 3 August 2016.
  4. Web site: GP networks and federations. BMA. 23 May 2017.
  5. Web site: Primay Care Federations feedback from the consultation. RCGP. 23 May 2017.
  6. News: Lind . Sofia . CCGs told they must set up primary care networks by end of June . 12 January 2019 . Pulse . 11 January 2019.
  7. News: Six Abingdon area GP surgeries will open seven days a week from today. 24 May 2017. The Herald. 1 February 2017.
  8. News: Life skills learned at army work-out for Barnsley students. 24 May 2017. The Star. 2 March 2017.
  9. Web site: About us. Bolton GP Federation. 23 May 2017.
  10. Web site: Bury GP Federation. Bury GP Federation. 23 May 2017.
  11. News: Is federating putting GP practices at risk?. 23 May 2017. Pulse. 21 November 2016.
  12. News: HSJ Value Awards 2018: Workforce efficiency . 30 August 2018 . Health Service Journal . 8 June 2018.
  13. Web site: About Croydon GP Collaborative. Croydon GP Collaborative. 23 May 2017.
  14. News: New service launched to help adults with mental health issues. 24 May 2017. Northern Echo. 2 June 2016.
  15. News: Call to arms amid fears of 'new ploy' to close Ealing and Charing Cross Hospitals. 24 May 2017. Get West London. 1 December 2016.
  16. Web site: ELR GP Federation. ELR GP Federation. 23 May 2017.
  17. News: A&E waiting times set to be cut across east Kent following launch of innovative app. 24 May 2017. Kent News. 23 January 2017.
  18. News: GP practices considering 'John Lewis-style' merger with local trust. 23 May 2017. Pulse. 2 October 2015.
  19. News: NHS England director appointed to lead integrated care system. 5 April 2018. Health Service Journal. 22 February 2018.
  20. News: Village Medical Centre Littleborough placed in 'special measures' following CQC 'Inadequate' rating. 23 May 2017. Rochdale Online. 24 January 2017.
  21. News: GP crisis is now at breaking point. 24 May 2017. Echo News. 22 March 2017.
  22. News: Working together to sustain real improvements in both the care of our patients and our working lives.. 28 April 2018. GP Health Connect Ltd.
  23. News: Drum up seven-day demand to keep pilot funding, GPs told. 23 May 2017. Pulse. 23 January 2017.
  24. News: GP-led fracture prevention scheme could save NHS millions of pounds. 24 May 2017. GP Online. 15 April 2015.
  25. Web site: The Haringey GP Federation . 2022-12-20 . www.haringeygpfederation.co.uk.
  26. News: New innovative partnership to improve care in Hammersmith and Fulham. 24 May 2017. Health IT Central. 3 August 2016.
  27. News: GP who enjoys triathlons is in the running for Stockton South seat. 23 May 2017. Gazette Live. 8 May 2017.
  28. News: One year on and health hubs are easing pressure on Redbridge GPs. 24 May 2017. Ilford Recorder. 1 April 2016.
  29. News: Trial Saturday surgery just what the doctors ordered. 23 May 2017. Bournemouth Echo. 26 November 2008.
  30. News: GPs set to depart Hinckley surgery. 24 May 2017. Hinckley Times. 31 March 2017.
  31. News: GPs federate across East Anglia to protect patients and develop services. 23 May 2017. GP Online. 21 May 2014.
  32. News: Managing rural practices without GPs. 24 May 2017. Practice Business. 11 May 2017.
  33. News: Liskeard plays part in £2.7m e-health project. 23 May 2017. Cornish Times. 12 May 2017.
  34. News: GP surgery to come under new management after financial difficulties. 24 May 2017. Sleaford Standard. 22 July 2016.
  35. News: Nurses protest over fears for future of community health services. 23 May 2017. Liverpool Echo. 14 February 2017.
  36. Web site: About Us. Manchester Primary Care Partnership. 23 May 2017.
  37. News: Nottingham doctors thank 'understanding' patients after NHS hack. 24 May 2017. Nottingham Post. 19 May 2017.
  38. News: MEDICAL PROTECTION PARTNERS WITH ISLAND GP FEDERATION. 24 May 2017. Island Echo. 9 December 2016.
  39. News: GP surgery with 15,000 patients relishing new challenges. 24 May 2017. Oxford Mail. 12 May 2017.
  40. News: MCP vanguard scheme funds indemnity and specialty training for new GPs. 23 May 2017. GP Online. 14 September 2016.
  41. News: GP alliance in talks over joint 200k-patient contract with hospital and council. 24 May 2017. Pulse. 23 May 2017.
  42. News: Five GP practices merge with hospital trusts to shore up their finances. 24 May 2017. Pulse. 26 April 2017.
  43. News: Virgin Care beats local NHS bid to land £17m a year community contract. 24 May 2017. National Health Executive. 24 August 2016.
  44. News: Richmond patients boosted by £2.6m grant for seven day a week GP service. 23 May 2017. SW Londoner. 1 May 2015.
  45. News: Private health firms show no interest in £284m Huddersfield NHS contract. 24 May 2017. Huddersfield Examiner. 15 December 2014.
  46. News: DOCTORS' BOSS GIVES UP SHARE IN PRIVATE FIRM. 24 May 2017. Islington Tribune. 20 August 2013.
  47. News: MPs speak out against hospital service 'auction'. 24 May 2017. Stratford Herald. 13 April 2016.
  48. News: Health chiefs bid to attract new GPs to Sunderland. 24 May 2017. Sunderland Echo. 7 September 2016.
  49. News: GP surgery plan at Hereford's walk-in centre. 24 May 2017. Hereford Times. 29 December 2016.
  50. News: GP practices merge to provide care to 50,000 patients . 14 October 2018 . Management in Practice . 9 October 2018.
  51. News: New look health scheme is re-launched. 23 May 2017. News Guardian. 20 May 2017.
  52. News: Find out more about Uttlesford Health Ltd. 24 May 2017. Dunmow Broadcast. 21 March 2014.
  53. Web site: Viaduct Health. Viaduct Health. 23 May 2017.
  54. News: North by North West: What went wrong in Warrington? . 14 October 2018 . Health Service Journal . 13 September 2018.
  55. News: US Iraq general Stanley McChrystal's firm is paid £420,000 by NHS. 24 May 2017. Wakefield Express. 23 September 2016.
  56. News: GPs to extend appointments to weekends. 24 May 2017. East London & West Essex Guardian. 24 June 2015.
  57. News: Brand new £6million medical facility opens in Kidderminster. 24 May 2017. Kidderminster Shuttle. 24 August 2016.
  58. News: New role for Keighley GP. 24 May 2017. Keighley News. 4 August 2016.
  59. News: GP practices face £20,000 losses as federation goes bust. 23 May 2017. Pulse. 14 March 2017.
  60. News: GP practices lose 'hundreds of thousands' as federation goes bankrupt. 23 May 2017. Pulse. 16 November 2016.
  61. News: Horizon Healthcare gives up on Lansdowne Surgery after just seven months. 23 May 2017. Bedfordshire on Sunday. 8 November 2016.

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