Altogether now? Professional differences in the priorities of primary care groups

Little is known about the similarities or differences with which Primary Care Group (PCG) Board members view the relative importance of the three functions with which they are charged, or how representative these views are of local primary care teams in general. This project explores the priorities of medical and nursing PCG Board members in relation to those of local General Practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses they represent.

Postal questionnaires were sent to GPs (n=236) and practice nurses (n= 137); structured telephone interviews were carried out with PCG Board members (n=61) in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove.

There are large differences between the views of GPs and those of their nursing colleagues on how PCG Board members should determine priorities in their work. There are also marked differences in the priorities of PCG Boards (of whom the majority are GPs) and non-Board member GPs. Whereas around two-thirds of PCG Board members believe that improving health generally and reducing inequalities in particular are the most important tasks before them, this view is not shared by most GPs in the same localities, who are generally more concerned about commissioning services. There is some doubt among GPs generally about the suitability of PCG Board members as a vehicle for the tasks they have been set, and this doubt is also found among PCG Board members themselves.

The priorities of PCG Board members of different disciplines need to be aligned in order that they have a clear focus on the tasks before them. PCG Boards must also have priorities that are consistent with the local practitioners who elected them. Effective systems of communication will need to be developed between PCG Board members, Health Authorities and individual Primary Care Groups. Local flexibility is essential to the success of Primary Care Groups, but tackling inequalities in health must always be at the forefront of their role.