Plans to create a new kind of GP for children in London have drawn a furious response from doctors.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said the introduction of so-called paediatric primary clinicians would confuse an already muddied sector and make doctors subservient to specialists.
RCGP vice chair Dr Clare Gerada branded the plans “terrible”, adding the move would increase practice workloads and “deskill” GPs.
But NHS London said the plans were necessary because of failings in care standards for children, with as many as 40% of doctors having received no formal paediatric training.
“Children’s health in the UK is not as good as it should be and there are complex reasons for this, including changing disease burden and the way medical services are provided,” the report said.
“There is a need for a new kind of paediatric primary care-based clinician, who will play a heightened role in unplanned and planned care of children and young people.”
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Royal College of General Practitioners
Your comments (terms and conditions apply):
“This is at last a brilliant idea. GP does not do anything with child except giving Calpol and send to specialist. Children need quick treatment. Specialilst paediatric GP will be a good solution” – Nazma Ansari, location withheld
