GP registration moving too slowly

The government has failed to achieve its target for people with
learning difficulties to be registered with a GP by June 2004, as
set out in the Valuing People white paper.

A Department of Health spokesperson conceded that registration was
proceeding slowly in some parts of England and told Community
Care: “It is also unclear as to whether every GP has
identified everyone with a learning difficulty who is already
registered with them.”

Rob Greig, director of the Valuing People programme, said some GPs
claimed their lists were full and declined to register people with
learning difficulties because they often had greater demands.

Greig warned that some GPs could only be persuaded to provide
services when the NHS realised people with learning difficulties
should be included in all mainstream health care services. However,
he insisted that “significant strides” had been made in some
areas.

Joan Scott, director of self-advocacy group Action Unlimited, said
it was worrying the target had not been met and urged the DoH to
act.