GPs with special interests

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The NHS Plan set out clear targets for improving access by reducing waiting times in primary care and extending the range of services available in primary and secondary care settings. Recruiting a GP with a special interest (GPSI) is one of a range of options available to PCTs to help achieve these aims.

The DH is actively selling GPSIs as a key component of integrated services, providing a bridge and acting in a coordinating role between primary care and hospital services. There are two broad categories of activities that may be undertaken by GPSIs — delivering a clinical service and undertaking procedures. Guidelines covering a wide range of services within these two broad categories have been developed on behalf of a national development group by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

The DH has published a series of papers on practitioners with special interests (PSIs) — this name is because the new schemes involve both GPs, nurses and allied health professionals. See the DH website section on PSIs and www.gpwsi.org. Individual documents are available on nurses and GPs with special interests, including for the latter, care for older people, coronary heart disease, dermatology, epilepsy, diabetes, headaches, palliative care, respiratory disease, mental health and sexual health. It’s worth pointing out that GPs, nurses and allied health professionals with special interests appear to be beginning to play a major role in improving access to services for patients.

Significant opportunities present themselves here for NHS influencers. With a growing interest in system re-engineering, GPSIs, specialist nurse practitioner clinics, general nurse triage and intermediate care alternatives to consultant-led outpatients, new customers receptive to appropriate product and therapy area messages are appearing.