On Monday this week I represented the RCGP at a workshop organised by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit. With the conference in Harrogate next week and its sustainability theme it was a timely opportunity to begin to plan a vision for sustainable healthcare in the UK. The participants were from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds. As the day progressed it became clear how central a role GPs could and probably should have in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future health service.
GPs are well used to dealing with complexity and taking accout of problems holistically. The White Paper gives GPs an opportunity to influence the delivery of health care in innovative ways. Rather than simply addressing the bottom line in financial terms we will perhaps have the opportunity to influence how the planning and delivery of health and care services can positively influence the society which it is designed to work within. The ability of GPs to manage uncertainty and risk are skills that have the potential to fundamentally change the approach of NHS commissioning. I'm looking forward to discussing these themes among others at Harrogate.
If you want to talk you will be able to track me down and find me on the main RCGP stand for most of the conference.
Best Wishes,
Tim Ballard
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