GP contract turmoil threatens deprived

Uncertainty over the new GP contract could threaten plans for local
services to help disadvantaged groups access basic health and
social care.

The proposed contract has been dogged by financial flaws. It was
envisaged that primary care trusts would be given new money to
develop services for disadvantaged groups, such as asylum seekers,
drug addicts and teenage mothers.

But Dr Andrew Dearden, chairperson of the British Medical
Association’s community care committee, said on closer inspection
it seemed these “enhanced services” grants would be drawn from
existing local development schemes and primary care development
schemes.

If this were the case, in areas that already had schemes “there
will be no guarantee any extra money will be made available for
these disadvantaged groups”, he said.