Audit Committee Report on GP contracts - Randerson Comment

9.41.33am GMT Wed 16th Jan 2008

Jenny Randerson has been warning for some time that the contracts were not being monitored properly

Commenting on the report by the Welsh Assembly Audit Committee into the new GP contracts, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson AM said:

"This report is a damning indictment of the Government's monitoring of how the new contracts were planned, designed and implemented."

"Though the GP contract has clearly brought some benefits to Wales, the report is clear that it is not providing value for money. The Assembly Government are not properly monitoring and checking the level of value being provided. They need to tighten up on this considerably.

"LHBs are not able to use the contract to move towards more Primary and preventative care because of very tight budgets. I am calling for ring-fencing of money in order to do this because otherwise the vision in 'Designed For Life' will not be realised.

"The report shows that out of hours services have cost a lot more than anticipated. The service is poor in some places, particularly rural areas and has placed further strain on A+E departments.

"On all of these issues, the report endorses what we have been saying for many months. WAG and the UK Government negotiated a slip-shod contract, failed to take proper advice on costs and are failing to effectively monitor the situation."

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