GP Omnibus Jan 2011 GP-led Commissioning Prepared for the Nuffield Trust

Methodology & Sample #1  GP Omnibus run by medeConnect Healthcare Insight  medeConnect is a division of Doctors.net.uk  Monthly online survey completed by GPs in UK and NI  Respondents are members of the Doctors.net.uk community – and as such are known to be GMC-registered (a condition of membership)  Sample is regional representative  GP population figures are based on NHS workforce statistics (2009) with the proviso that “quotas by region may vary up to ±10%”  Aims to achieve a sample of at least 1000 respondents  1024 completes in Jan 2011 (12 rejected on quality control grounds)

Methodology & Sample #2  As per the Word questionnaire:-  3 screener questions  Confirming specialty, GP level and region  6 demographic questions  Capturing practice size, practice location, whether or not a dispensing practice, gender, year of qualification and age  16 questions of varying complexity, from 6 other clients asked to all respondents  9 questions on GP-led commissioning asked last, and only asked to GPs practising in England (hence base = 838)

Notes on interpretation  On the following slides:-  Overall response to the question shown on the left hand side  Labelled as “Total”, base = 838  Responses have been split out by their individual answers to Q6 (their level of involvement in commissioning), and these are shown in the rest of the slide  Bases for each sub-group given in the footer  Other (combined) sub-group shown, but semi-obscured because of the small number of respondents in this particular sub-group

Overall, 1-in-6 GPs in the survey indicated that their consortium is fully set up – while 1-in-4 felt that they were only at the initial discussion stage [Not surprisingly, ‘active’ involvement linked to status re: commissioning] Q1. Which of the following best applies to the status of GP commissioning in your area? Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Overall, just over half (54%) of the GPs in the survey indicated that they are already members of their area’s consortium. [Membership heavily linked to level of involvement] Q2. Are you a member of your area’s consortium? Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Just over half (51%) envisage a merger of existing PBC groups in their area [Those who are active at a higher level are notably more likely to predict that their consortium is likely to be the same as their existing PBC group] Q4. Which of the following do you envisage for your area? Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Overall, the average consortium size is predicted to be ~ 167,000 patients [Those who are actively involved at PBC level typically give much higher figures re: the size of their consortium] Q5. Approximately what size, in terms of patient population, is your GP consortium (or is it likely to be)? Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 740 (Consortium level=63, PBC level=62, Practice level=157, Not actively involved=44, Other=14)

The majority (71%) think that the priority for commissioning will focus on cost [Those actively involved at PBC level are more likely to think this - leading to restrictions on hospital referrals/admissions] Q7. To what extent do you think the priority for commissioning will focus on cost, leading to a restriction on, or even prevention of, hospital referrals/admissions? Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

The majority of GPs (61%) agree that there are local leaders in their area with the capability to lead GP Commissioning [Views re: ‘local leaders’ strongly linked to level of involvement...] Q8a. “There are local leaders in my area with the capability to lead GP Commissioning”. Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Less than a quarter of GPs (23%) agree that the proposed reforms will improve the quality of patient care provided by their organisation/practice [Views re: ‘quality of care’ also linked to level of involvement...] Q8b. “The proposed reforms will improve the quality of the patient care which my organisation / practice provides”. Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Opinion as to whether the reforms will encourage closer working relationships to develop between primary care and hospital doctors is highly polarised [Views re: ‘closer working relationships’ also linked to level of involvement...] Q8c. “The proposed reforms will encourage closer working relationships to develop between primary care and hospital doctors”. Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level=67, PBC level=64, Practice level=166, Not actively involved=526, Other=15)

Those who are actively involved at the consortium level gave the largest proportion of ‘high priority’ ratings – particularly for up to date news, case studies, management guides and standard forms/templates Q9. Please rate the following ideas [re: preferred priorities regarding planning and delivering effective Commissioning]. Q6. In what capacity are you involved in commissioning? Base: 838 (Consortium level = 67, PBC level = 64, Practice level = 166, Not actively involved = 526)