GPs ‘not trained’ to commission services

Doctors’ leaders have warned that the commissioning of child
protection services by primary care trusts should only happen where
there are experienced GPs with sufficient resources.

The call follows reports that the children’s national service
framework task force may consider a proposal to pilot the idea in
several areas.

Although some GPs with an interest in child protection have
supported calls for PCTs to commission such services, the British
Medical Association cautioned that it should not happen widely and
only where committed doctors are already in place.

BMA GPs’ committee executive member Dr Andrew Dearden said most
GPs were not sufficiently trained in child protection issues and
did not have the time to take on such work.

“In my opinion, health visitors are more likely to see children
when they don’t come into the surgery. It is a question of the most
appropriate person.”

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