A new framework on how to share information and avoid duplication of requests in general practice has been published today.
Joint framework: Commissioning and regulating together, the first document published by the Regulation of General Practice Programme Board (RGPPB) has been developed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS England, the General Medical Council (GMC) and commissioning groups.
Both regulatory and commissioning bodies joined forces to produce a document that would allow them to ‘reduce the impact of regulation and commissioning oversight on practices’.
This will be possible through ‘collaborative working arrangements’ asking stakeholders to share information through routine information sharing, at meetings, when it concerns non-ordinary information and coordinate ongoing activities.
The framework said: ‘In many areas, relationships are working well and this framework is therefore intended to help provide structure, support, and examples of good practice for our organisations, partners and stakeholders, including GP practices, to share and learn from.’
Struggling practices will benefit indirectly from this framework, whose aim is ‘to focus support for struggling GP practices through transparent and regular sharing of information between key partners.’
The framework specified that support for struggling practices would vary, and in some cases could find expression through the GP Resilience Programme, which was introduced to help those practices experiencing difficulties to access specialist support, including practice management capacity support.
Chair of RGPPB professor Steve Field said: ‘I am pleased to see the board bearing fruit and that we are beginning to deliver a programme of work that will streamline working arrangements and minimise duplication.
‘This document is a small but significant step towards closer working between the main statutory oversight and regulatory bodies involved in general practice.’
