Welsh GPs oppose care assessments

The Welsh assembly’s unified assessment process (UAP) could be
undermined if GPs refuse to carry out social care assessments of
their patients.

Welsh GPs say the assessment forms are too long and beyond their
expertise, and have been advised that completing them is not in
their contract.

The UAP is meant to ensure clients have their health and social
care needs assessed by a single professional – usually the one they
first see. Many people with social care needs are initially seen by
their GP.

Dr Ian Millington, chair of Morgannwg local medical committee,
said: “It doesn’t seem to be an appropriate use of our skills to
fill in a form that mainly asks social care questions such as what
someone’s access needs are.”

A Welsh assembly spokesperson admitted GPs had not “fully engaged”
with councils and local health boards in developing local
guidelines for using the UAP. The assembly is to meet GPs to
discuss including the UAP in their contract.