GP Choices A Support and Occupational Health Service for GPs in County Durham and Darlington

GP Choices Background Founded in 1998 NHS Beacon Service Started by local GP – Len Featherstone Support and occupational health service for primary care staff

Need 2006: “Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients” – Sir Liam Donaldson (CMO). 2009: Boorman Review. 2012: NHS Future Forum. Health Professionals with health issues have particular problems accessing care and advice. Require a confidential, sensitive, specialist service. Costs to the NHS in North-East England – c. £6.2m annually (sick leave, suspensions, locum cover) + c. £6.25m (“presenteeism”). Costs to the individual doctor, his family, colleagues, patients. Need for services like GP Choices is clear.

Practitioner difficulties presented so far…. Stress Anxiety and depression Alcohol and drug misuse Professional “burnout” Other psychiatric/psychological illness Physical illness Personal (family) difficulties Work place disputes Concern about colleagues Complaints

GP Choices - Services Confidential advice Telephone support line Mentoring Counselling and access to psychological therapies Advice and support with regulatory bodies Drug and alcohol assessment, rehabilitation and monitoring Locum support Education and peer support Specialist occupational health services Sign posting to financial advice and help

Other support services See Core Contacts House Concern - Regional GP Choices Sunderland Primary Care Support – Gateshead/SOT GP Health – Teesside Northumberland Service Local BDDG PHP (London)

Practitioner Health Programme Pilot scheme for the care and support of sick doctors, funded by DOH in 2008 – serving London area. Now funded by London GP Commissioning Groups. Will accept referrals from outside London area if accompanied by GP referral and ECR funding. Available for advice to doctors engaged in Practitioner Health Care outside London. Involved, with RCGP, in training doctors with an interest Practitioner Health care (RCGP CPH). Plan to extend their service around the country, working with existing services - e.g. GP Choices.

PHP Pilot experience 574 practitioner patients in first 3 years. Approx 1/3 GPs. 77% remained in or returned to work. Savings to the NHS – reducing cost of sickness absence, suspensions, locum cover. Retaining fully trained, experienced doctors. Humane treatment of sick doctors and their families. Supporting the NHS, doctors and their patients.

The Appraisal Opportunity Annual appraisal offers an opportunity to become aware of doctors in difficulty (perhaps at an early stage). GP Choices – timely, confidential, caring support, advice and help. If faced with such a challenge please contact us, or encourage your appraisee to get in touch, for an informal discussion. Together we may be able to help the doctor in distress and, also, his patients.

GP Choices Manager – Carol Hartman-Andersen GP Advisors – Dr Robin Wade, Dr Philip le Dune Mentor Co-ordinator and Education Facilitator – Dr Christine Laidler Office: Support Line: Fax: