>> Service Provision Guidelines

Sessions in General Practice

Motions Passed at the Annual General Meeting of the BAD 
8 July 1993

"That in view of the loss of income to hospital-based services resulting from the holding of outreach clinics in UK general practice Health Centres by dermatologists outside their NHS contract, a practice that will result in the decline of the UK NHS hospital service and eventually to the decline of the specialty of dermatology in the UK, the British Association of Dermatologists wishes to express its disapproval of this practice."

Guidelines

1 There should be a geographic need for such a service

2 Adequate facilities and nursing/administrative support must be available.

3 A GP (or trainee) must be present so that there is some 'skill transfer'.

4 Such clinics must be staffed by accredited specialists who are eligible to hold NHS contracts.

5 No consultant should have a contract which contains more than one notional half day session per week and such a session should be part of the fixed commitment.

6 The rates charged for such peripheral clinics should be equivalent to the rates charged for normal NHS consultations/procedures at the hospital.

7 Income from such clinics must be part of the normal NHS departmental income.

8 Minimum and maximum patient numbers should be agreed as part of the contract.

9 Appropriate arrangements must be made for investigations, notekeeping, investigations, procedures and prescribing.

10 GP purchasers should normally first approach the current local provider for any such service.

11 The establishment of peripheral clinics must not breach NHS Management Executive guidelines and must not lead to the development of a two tier service.

Motions  Passed at the Annual General Meeting of the BAD 
8 July 1993

Sessions in general Practice

1. That in view of the loss of income to hospital-based services resulting from the holding of outreach clinics in UK general practice Health Centres by dermatologists outside their NHS contract, a practice that will result in the decline of the UK NHS hospital service and eventually to the decline of the specialty of dermatology in the UK, the British Association of Dermatologists wishes to express its disapproval of this practice.

2. That BAD Membership requests that specific guidelines be issued by the Dermatology Advisory Group to the Royal College of Physicians so that Regional College Advisers know how to respond to proposals for Outreach clinics in the community.

3. That any community-based dermatological service should be reached after discussion and with the mutual agreement of the incumbent consultant dermatologist or, in the case of a new appointment, after the post has been appointed.