General Practitioner (Hansard, 5 March 2002)

§ Mr. Burstow
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he has taken to reduce the prevalence of HIV infections in heterosexual males; and if he will make a statement. [37801]

§ Yvette Cooper
The national strategy for sexual health and HIV prioritises the HIV prevention needs of groups most affected by HIV, including people from, or with links to, high prevalence countries (currently in Africa), injecting drug misusers and men who have sex with men. The strategy also proposes a target to reduce by 50 per cent. the number of previously undiagnosed HIV infected people attending genito-urinary clinics who remain unaware of their infection by the end of 2007.
Latest estimates of the number of adults living in the United Kingdom with HIV infection indicate that nearly half of all infections in male heterosexuals are 289W undiagnosed. These men are therefore unable to benefit from HIV treatment services and health promotion to reduce the likelihood of infecting their partners.
Figures from the Public Health Laboratory Service show that, to date, a total of 5,813 men and 7,630 women diagnosed in the UK are presumed to have acquired HIV through heterosexual sex. This compares to almost 27,000 diagnoses in gay and bisexual men. The majority of heterosexuals with HIV are of African origin and acquired their infection abroad.
In line with the strategy, the Department will launch later this year a new information campaign for the general population on safer-sex, which will cover the prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what appeal procedures will be open to general practitioners who disagree with the conclusions of the proposed annual appraisals. [38435]

§ Mr. Hutton
Primary care trusts will be responsible locally for organising and supporting the appraisal of each of their general practitioners (GPs). The GP appraisal framework, issued by the Department, makes clear that in discharging this function, each PCT will be expected to establish effective procedures to deal with worries or concerns from individual GPs about the process or outcomes of appraisal.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost is of the proposed annual appraisal of general practitioners. [38436]

§ Mr. Hutton
Research commissioned by the Department suggests that the average time commitment for the appraisee will be between 4; to 6; hours. However this will vary between different GPs. In addition, the appraisal process will in some cases systemise existing arrangements in GP practices or Personal Medical Services pilots for monitoring and reviewing professional development. The GP appraisal framework makes clear that primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible locally for organising and resourcing the new appraisal system. The 2002–03 health authority revenue resource limits circular (HSC 2001/024) made clear that PCTs should identify resources to support the new system and that they should have a funded policy on the provision of locum cover.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opportunity there will be for patients to make representations about their general practitioners for use in annual appraisals. [38434]

§ Mr. Hutton
The appraisal documentation requires the general practitioner being appraised to include consideration of his or her relationships with patients. Examples of documentation which may be used to inform this aspect of the appraisal includes patient survey data; significant event reports; any complaints or other representations received from patients, including any appreciative feedback.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what standards will be used against which GPs can be measured in making annual appraisals. [38433]

§ Mr. Hutton
The general practitioner appraisal framework issued by the Department explains that the annual appraisal of a GP will be based on the core290W headings set out in the "Good Medical Practice" document, published by the General Medical Council. These comprise:

Good clinical care

Maintaining good medical practice Relationships with patients

Working with colleagues

Teaching and training

Probity

Health.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions will be available for use against general practitioners who fail the proposed annual appraisal. [38442]

§ Ms Abbott
The primary aim of appraisal is to help general practitioners consolidate and improve on good performance. Appraisal will support the continuing personal and professional development of GPs.
The appraisal will not result in a pass or fail. It should conclude by setting down, as an action plan, the agreements that have been reached about what each party is committed to doing. This should include the essentials of the personal development plan (PDP). The appraisal should identify individual needs that will be addressed through the PDP. The appraiser and appraisee should review progress against the PDP and these actions during the course of the year and at the next appraisal discussion.
It should be exceptional for serious concerns about performance to be first raised in an appraisal. However, where it becomes apparent, during the appraisal process, that there is a potentially serious performance issue, which requires further discussion, the appraiser must refer the matter immediately to the PCT clinical governance lead or PCT Chief Executive to take appropriate action. This may for example include referral to any support arrangements that may be in place.