16.04.12
The realities of reform
If the Government has to force CCGs to abide by the existing deal on workforce terms and conditions, there is a big question on the extent to which the reforms are actually freeing up GPs to do the job as they think best.
Cutting jobs just to re-offer them in a superficially different structure is expensive, disruptive and detrimental to patient care – but forcing CCGs to accept some staff, to prevent them claiming redundancy, undermines the whole principle of reform and risks further public disillusionment.
This action diminishes the strength of the Government’s conviction that commissioning groups will be radically separate from, and superior to, existing PCTs.
Stating that GPs will have greater choice in their new roles, whilst simultaneously limiting it, will not benefit the reputation of the NHS reforms.
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