We have consulted regional groups of the BGS, individuals in the BGS, the Royal College of Physicians Geriatrics Committee in London, Policy Committee of the BGS and both the President and the Registrar of the RCP (London).
The current aim is to use this discussion, hopefully to produce some consistency of view about the future roles of geriatricians, in particular in the evolving English Health Service. It is hoped that the England Council will produce a succinct summary, based on the discussions that have occurred. There will be further debate at the next meeting at the end of November.
NSF
Review Group
The Health Care Commission have taken over the NSF Older People’s
Review that was being planned by CHAI. Although CHAI had been active in
consulting with the BGS, the England Council became concerned in the summer
that there was not equal involvement with the Health Care Commission.
Following representations a representative of the England Council has
now been invited to join the NSF Review Group, The England Council has
also made a formal response to the planned review methodology. Dr Tim
Hendra will be the England Council representative on this important group.
Reimbursement
for delayed discharge
The England Council has started a project looking at a BGS update and
view on reimbursement. On starting this work, it became apparent the Department
of Health were now commissioning a formal research project into the effect
of reimbursement. This may be all too late as the Department of Health
appears to have already decided that reimbursement is “a good thing”
and needs to be extended to both mental health and rehabilitation environments.
The England Council will support any BGS group that is asked to undertake
a Department of Health study.
Chronic
Disease Management
As discussed at the BGS Council Study Day, Chronic Disease Management
is right at the top of the Government’s agenda for the next 5 years
of the Health Service Improvement Plan. Members of England Council are
again reminded to bring to the attention of BGS groups, the document produced
by the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of General Practitioners,
and NHS Alliance entitled, “Clinicians, Services and Commissioning
in Chronic Disease Management in the NHS”. It is likely
that the England Council will be asked to contribute to a national Department
of Health Project Working Party, looking particularly at geriatric issues
across primary and secondary care. If this comes off, it would be a major
opportunity for geriatric medicine to lead the agenda.
The next
England Council Meeting is 25th November 2004.
David Black
Chairman
England Council