He made the comments in response to a GP who raised concerns that PCT chiefs were trying to 'scare' them when it came to commissioning.
He made the comments in response to a GP who raised concerns that PCT chiefs were trying to 'scare' them when it came to commissioning.
“If you go in there saying ‘I’m going to do your job better than you, and by the way we’ll sack you’, then it’s not going to work,” said Sir Nicholson.
At the same event Prime Minister David Cameron issued a rallying call to GPs at urging them to explain to patients that the NHS will be different following the reforms but that ‘it will be better’.
The GPs present had attended the Pathfinder Learning Network Launch where NHS leaders, including Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley, discussed the way ahead.
Dr Kamal Sood, part of the Nene Commissioning Community Interest Company, covering most of Northamptonshire, said: ‘Practice based commissioning was more of a hobby as we had proportionally only a small amount of the budget.
‘Consortia are a different animal – we have more influence, power and responsibility.’
GPs present were engaged with the reforms but did express concerns around governance, legal issues and accountability in running the new consortia.
Another key concern was how to engage with practices which had so far not shown any interest in practice based commissioning or consortia.
Dr Peter Swinyard, national chairman of the Family Doctor’s Association, said: “About 10 to 20% of GPs don’t care about these changes. We only need about 5 to 10% to be leaders but everyone needs to be a supporter.”
By Victoria Vaughan
