General practitioners are being given financial incentives to reduce the number of outpatient referrals.
An investigation conducted by Pulse magazine discovered that nine Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the UK are offering GPs money to limit hospital referrals – including two week cancer referrals and emergency admissions.
NHS Birmingham South Central CCG is offering the average GP practice the equivalent of more than £11,000 to cut hospital attendances and admissions by one per cent, when compared with figures from 2014.
A total of six CCGs in London are giving bonuses to practices which stay within targets, as are NHS Bolton CCG and NHS North-East Lincolnshire CCG.
“Highly unethical”
The scheme has been widely criticised, particularly as it seems to contradict the General Medical Council’s guidance that doctors must not accept any “inducement, gift or hospitality” that could affect, or be seen to affect, the treatment or referral of patients.
Dr Maureen Baker, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “This is a preposterous idea. It is deeply insulting and demeaning – as well as being highly unethical – to suggest that offering GPs money will change the way in which we care for our patients.”
This was echoed by Dr Robert Morley, chairman of the General Practitioners Committee’s contracts and regulations panel, who said: “These [schemes] may, at face value, potentially be ethically questionable and conflict with GMC guidance, on the basis that they might conceivably influence management decisions.”
Cancer rates “amongst worst in Europe”
Furthermore, the scheme is at odds with the recently announced plan to increase cancer referrals by 80 per cent.
Dr Rosie Loftus, joint chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “England’s cancer survival rates are already amongst the worst in Europe and a key reason for this is the inadequate access to cancer tests and treatment.”
“If this is rationed further it could make survival rates and quality of life for people with cancer worse. This isn’t something the NHS can afford to do.”
Legal advice
If you would like to talk to a lawyer about pursuing a medical negligence claim, please get in touch with us at Glynns Solicitors.
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