Practitioners with Practitioners with Special Interests GPSIsSpecial Interests GPSIs

The NHS Plan (July 2000) The NHS Plan (July 2000) envisaged that envisaged that by 2004 ;by 2004 ;

‘ ‘ upto 1000 specialist GPs will be taking referrals from upto 1000 specialist GPs will be taking referrals from fellow GPs for conditions in specialities such as fellow GPs for conditions in specialities such as ophthalmology , orthopaedics, dermatology and ear nose ophthalmology , orthopaedics, dermatology and ear nose and throat surgery,. They will also be able to undertake and throat surgery,. They will also be able to undertake diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy’ (ch diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy’ (ch 12 ,para.712 ,para.7

Improvement, Expansion andImprovement, Expansion and Reform : Reform : Priorities and Planning Framework 1003-2006Priorities and Planning Framework 1003-2006 (Oct 2002) states that by 2006 there will be an (Oct 2002) states that by 2006 there will be an

increase in:increase in:

‘‘activity taking place in primary and community settings activity taking place in primary and community settings to contribute to the national assumption that at least one to contribute to the national assumption that at least one million more outpatient appointments ( around 10%) take million more outpatient appointments ( around 10%) take place in the community rather than the hospitalplace in the community rather than the hospital ‘ ‘

Two broad categories of activities that may be Two broad categories of activities that may be undertaken by GPwSIs :undertaken by GPwSIs :

Delivering a clinical serviceDelivering a clinical serviceUndertaking of procedures Undertaking of procedures

The Big IdeaThe Big Idea

Allowing GPs to deliver a clinical service Allowing GPs to deliver a clinical service beyond the normal scope of general beyond the normal scope of general practice ,undertake advanced procedures , practice ,undertake advanced procedures , or develop servicesor develop servicesIncrease the capacity of primary care to Increase the capacity of primary care to undertake outpatient appointmentsundertake outpatient appointmentsReduce patient waiting times Reduce patient waiting times Provide a more convenient service Provide a more convenient service Free up consultant time in secondary care Free up consultant time in secondary care

IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS

Expansion of the physical capacity in Expansion of the physical capacity in primary careprimary care PremisesPremises One-stop shopsOne-stop shops Diagnostic and treatment centres Diagnostic and treatment centres

Which Specialties?Which Specialties?Care for older peopleCare for older peopleChild protectionChild protectionCoronary heart diseaseCoronary heart diseaseDermatologyDermatologyDiabetesDiabetesDrug misuseDrug misuseEchocardiographyEchocardiographyENTENT

EpilepsyEpilepsyHeadachesHeadachesMental health Mental health Musculoskeletal conditionsMusculoskeletal conditionsPalliative carePalliative careRespiratory medicineRespiratory medicineSexual healthSexual health

GuidelinesGuidelines

No particular training coursesNo particular training coursesDOH and RCGP frameworkDOH and RCGP frameworkProcess of accreditation by employerProcess of accreditation by employer Determines the core competencies to deliver Determines the core competencies to deliver

the particular service, and the evidence the particular service, and the evidence required to demonstrate that a GP has met required to demonstrate that a GP has met these competencies , and the criteria for their these competencies , and the criteria for their maintenance . maintenance .

Further InformationFurther Information

www.natpact.nhs.uk/specialinterestswww.natpact.nhs.uk/specialinterestswww.doh.gov.uk/pricarewww.doh.gov.uk/pricare