GPs want to charge patients for their services, according to a report out today.
GPs want to charge patients for their services, according to a report out today.
Doctors say they want to improve the way their practice is run by discouraging time-wasters. Almost three in five would like to charge an average fee of Ł36 for GP home visits, and 58 per cent of GPs want to impose an average Ł11 fine on those patients who fail to turn up for an appointment without prior warning.
The findings are part of Norwich Union Healthcare’s first ‘Health of the Nation Index’ looking at GPs’ views of the health service. The index also reveals that doctors think the NHS isn’t geared up for modern-day conditions, such as food allergies or Fibromyalgia, which are presenting in increasing numbers of their practices.
And say GPs, while their local NHS Trust is good, and improving in some areas, particularly for cancer patients, the overall service is poor, and getting worse for illnesses affecting the elderly – such as osteoporosis, dementia and hip or knee replacements. It’s also worsening for those battling alcoholism and drug addiction, or suffering mild or moderate depression.
One of the GPs who undertook the Norwich Union Healthcare survey, Dr Ann Robinson, says it’s these kind of conditions that are increasingly being presented in doctors’ surgeries.
Says Dr Robinson: “The NHS needs to get up to speed if it’s going to be able to cope with health issues in the 21st century. With our ageing population it’s alarming that GPs think the elderly are getting a poor and worsening service.
“It’s also worrying that GPs don’t feel they can make appropriate referrals for issues we’re seeing more of, such as allergies, stress related illnesses, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many of us feel out of our depth when presented with problems like autism, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder which seem to be increasing problems which cause parents a great deal of anxiety.”
Norwich Union Healthcare’s ‘Health of the Nation Index’ is the first of what’s set to be a comprehensive bi-annual study of GPs’ views of the Health Service, their own practices, trends they’re seeing in the UK’s health and patients’ attitudes towards their own health. And it also reveals:
- Three quarters of GPs questioned say they find it hardest to make appropriate referrals for 21st century conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A further 72 per cent cite lack of appropriate consultants for food allergies, and 59 per cent say they find it difficult to refer Fibromyalgia on to an appropriate specialist.
- The top three conditions they’ve seen increases in over the past three years are erectile dysfunction (74 per cent of GPs report an increase, due largely to the Viagra effect), obesity (69 per cent) and stress (65 per cent of those questioned) – although two in five GPs say they don’t believe the NHS should be paying for the treatment of workplace stress.
- Waiting times for outpatient appointments have worsened for neurologists according to 60 per cent of GPs, followed by counselling services (at 56 per cent). In Wales and Scotland GPs are worried by rising waiting times for orthopaedic operations.
- Over four in 10 GPs say they’ve seen an increase in children presenting with learning difficulties, not a traditional GP remit
- And the vast majority (over 75 per cent) say the use of prescription pharmaceuticals in the treatment of mental health problems in children under 10, is appropriate and effective only in a limited number of cases.
When it comes to their patients, doctors think they should be doing more to educate themselves about their condition – and seven in 10 GPs say this can actually improve the quality of decisions made about their healthcare.
Tim Baker, Director of Business Development at Norwich Union Healthcare, said: “GPs are often at the forefront of what’s happening in the healthcare industry and our research reveals that GPs certainly want the best for their patients and want to get them more involved in decisions regarding their health.”
Adds Dr Robinson: “The study supports what I’m seeing in my own surgery. Some people do research their own medical conditions and are able to teach me a great deal. But there are many others who still believe that the doctor knows best and rarely question the diagnosis, treatment or referral that we offer. However those who do self-diagnose, who take control of their health, are often the ones who get better healthcare. We should be encouraging people to question their medical care – it might be better for them.”
Roger Taylor, research director at Dr Foster, said: “It is encouraging to see that GPs are seeing improvements in services in many key areas. But they have also identified where there are problems. It is good to know that GPs welcome greater involvement in decisions by patients and believe that informed patients result in better healthcare”.
-ends-
Media contact:
Jo Misson or Matthew Buchanan at QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424 or Lorna Wiltshire at Norwich Union on 07788 471849
Notes to editors:
- Norwich Union Healthcare recruited a panel of 150 GPs in January 2003 to take part in a comprehensive online survey carried out by health research experts at Dr Foster.
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 750,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Norwich Union Healthcare is a member if the General Insurance Standards Council and the Association of British Insurers.
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