Budget restrictions are GPs’ top concern over CCGs
BMJ 2013; 346 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f2193 (Published 05 April 2013) Cite this as: BMJ 2013;346:f2193
More than three quarters (80%) of general practitioners (GPs) and practice managers rate budget restrictions as their main concern about the introduction of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).
Time constraints (66%) and conflicts of interest (59%) were also highly cited as issues by the more than 1000 GPs and practice managers across England surveyed by the Medical Protection Society.
Last month, a BMJ investigation found that more than a third of GPs on the boards of CCGs in England had a conflict of interest resulting from links with private companies.1
The BMA has repeatedly called for strong measures that guard against possible conflicts of interest in members of CCGs. Mark Porter, chair of the BMA Council, said: “The BMA believes that any GP who has financial interests in a private sector company that might be awarded contracts in their area should consider seriously whether they should be a member of a [CCG] governing body.”
He also said that ministers must ensure that CCGs have an appropriate level of resources so that they can meet the needs of their patients.