GPs need more help from PCOs to be ready for Freedom of Information Act

GPs are looking to primary care organisations (PCOs) to help them meet their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act that comes into force next year. This was the message from the BMA's General Practitioners Committee (GPC) as they gave evidence to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 specifically defines GPs as public authorities and, as such, practices must adopt and maintain a publication scheme to show what services they provide and what information they hold. The scheme should list the type of information a practice holds ? including, for example, the range of services it offers, its opening hours, any practice leaflets and protocols, and give details of how the practice receives its funding - and a description of how this information can be obtained. From 1st January 2005, the Act will also require each practice to respond to requests for information under the Act.

Feedback from Local Medical Committees (LMCs) on GPs' preparedness for the Act's implementation shows that some PCOs have been proactive in publicising the Act. However a number of GPs claim that the training provided by the PCOs has been unhelpful, or in some places non-existent, and some practices have not received any information concerning the Act from their PCO. In addition, many GPs, although having prepared their publication scheme, are still not aware of the full requirements of the Act and consider their duty ended with the production of a scheme.

The GPC has already produced a model publication scheme with written guidance, arranged a seminar for GPs and their practice managers, and publicised the requirements of the Act in newsletters. It urges PCOs to work directly with GP practices and LMCs to ensure that the full requirements are being met and clearly understood.

Speaking after giving evidence to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, Dr John Grenville, the GPC's lead on the Freedom of Information Act, said: "The BMA supports the principle that members of the public have the right to know how public services are organised and run, how much they cost and how decisions are made. Yet while there appears to be helpful information for the public on their rights under the Freedom of Information Act, GP practices feel that they need more help and guidance from their PCO.

"GPs already have heavy workloads seeing patients and meeting the ever increasing needs of the NHS and will need as much help as possible from their PCO to ensure they are ready for the Act. We would like to see PCOs providing more training events for GPs and practice managers that will help them respond to requests under the Act. Written information must also be available which communicates their responsibilities in a clear and user-friendly way. There may also be resource implications and these must be properly addressed.

"The GPC will be expanding its own guidance to remind practices of their obligations and will assist LMCs who are ready to work with PCOs in helping GPs prepare for the Act ."