Latest Doctors News
GPs complain about rejected requests
Published On: 22nd August 2011
By: Deborah Bates
GPs and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are having a difference of opinion, after it was revealed the PCTs have rejected almost one-quarter of referral requests received from GPs.
According to Pulsetoday.co.uk, many administrative and technical mistakes have also been made, making the requests process more difficult.
It's a problem that is affecting many areas of the country, reports have suggested, with GPs in West Essex having their referrals resubmitted without having been triaged. This has been called "intensely frustrating" by a GP who chose to remain anonymous and hailed the issues as "ludicrous."
However many GPs are in fact happy with the referral and requests process, according to the commissioning lead for planned care in West Essex, Dr Hugh Taylor. Speaking on behalf of the permanent and locum agencies doctors in the area, he stated: "Most GPs are generally satisifed...but we are aware of concerns.
"For the majority of the time it works extremely well. The average rate of rejection at the triage stage was just seven per cent in the first quarter of this year."
Not everyone was convinced by his claims, as fellow medical specialist Dr Ismat Nasiruddin stating that the rejections were "numerous" and meant GPs have to "effectively wait for a disaster" before their patients are properly treated.
The referral system has previously been called "controversial" so these comments shouldn't come as a surprise. Dailymail.co.uk even stated that some one in eight referrals aren't passed through, making it hard for GPs to do their job effectively.