Groups of doctors working together in partnership is the best way to address the day-to-day needs of patients, according to a professional body.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) says GPs working in federations are the real solution to delivering improvements in patient care.
In its new publication, Primary Care Federations – putting patients first, the RCGP sets out an approach to the development of primary care that would see primary care federations provide a wider range of services – including X-rays and scans – to patients in their local community.
The RCGP has recently said it fears the battle of words between the government and the BMA over GP access has led to the patients being forgotten.
RCGP Chairman Professor Steve Field said: “The government and the BMA both have very valid, albeit opposing, viewpoints but we want to get the debate back to where it belongs – delivering better services for our patients
“We believe the solution lies in creating primary care federations with GPs and their teams working in collaboration and cooperation rather than competition.”
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