Has the covid pandemic changed the debate about nationalising GPs?

Abstract

Has the covid pandemic changed the debate about nationalising GPs?The pandemic has led the UK health secretary into a debate on whether GPs should be directly employed by the NHS. Azeem Majeed argues that this is an opportunity to correct a flawed model, but Simon Hodes says that partnerships are still the best model for primary care

Only GPs can assess what primary care needs

“…Majeed and Hodes debate whether general practitioners should be employed by the NHS 1. No model of primary care, be it partnership, salaried, or a mixed economy, will succeed in delivering high quality, sustainable, equitable, and universal primary care while funding is calculated using the Carr-Hill formula.…”

Prosecuting war crimes demands outrage, will, and action

“…One reason for vaccine inequity is the complacency that enables us to accept the arguments from global drug companies (doi:10.1136/bmj.o406),5 which will enjoy hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue from covid-19 vaccines and treatments, that profit is necessary for innovation. Mohga Kamal-Yanni explains that between 2006 and 2015, major drug companies spent 19% of revenue on stock buybacks and dividends and only 14% on research and development (doi:10.1136/bmj.o406).…”

“…Mohga Kamal-Yanni explains that between 2006 and 2015, major drug companies spent 19% of revenue on stock buybacks and dividends and only 14% on research and development (doi:10.1136/bmj.o406). 5 Nothing suggests that anything has changed.…”

The GP partnership is finished

“…In the Head to Head on whether the covid pandemic has changed the debate about nationalising GPs, Hodes describes partnership as bringing “so much long lasting job satisfaction.”1 I fear he speaks for a minority in the profession, given the current working conditions in primary care.…”