Press Release

RCGP response to NHS Workforce report

30.06.08

Professor Steve Field, RCGP Chairman, said: "We have not yet had sufficient time to read the detail and will post a full response once we have had an opportunity to digest the recommendations in the report. However, we welcome the intention to move care closer to home and believe that the Next Stage Review’s ambitious focus on quality in primary care and across the NHS is the right one.

"The recognition of the central role of the GP - and in supporting GPs so that we can lead the changes - is most welcome. We also welcome the commitment to review the length of GP training so that we can deliver the RCGP Training Curriculum and produce the highly trained GPs needed to deliver Lord Darzi’s ambitious agenda.

"We support the emphasis on innovation, medical leadership and the review of educational levies. We also support the move of postgraduate medical education from SHAs back into medical schools and the establishment of NHSME to overview.

"We are pleased that Sir John Tooke’s recommendations will be delivered in the most part. Successful implementation depends on the involvement of the RCGP and other medical Royal Colleges and we look forward to discussions on how we can take this forward."