'Any qualified provider' services revealed by the DH

The DH revealed to GPonline a list of 39 services that it plans to allow any qualified provider (AQP) to deliver through PCTS from this autumn and prior to England's 212 CCGs take on their commissioning duties in April 2013. The list includes some child and adolescent mental health services, diagnostics and weight management - see the full list below.

The DH spokesman said: 'The NHS is firmly on track to offer patients the choice of AQP for a range of community and mental health services from this autumn. Commissioners are finalising their plans with healthcare providers and services have been advertised. The process of qualifying potential providers is well underway with some now already able to offer care that meets local need.'

For patients this means that if a service is put out to AQP it may be provided by NHS private or voluntary sector organisations. Patients will chose providers from a list.

The DH has previously said services put out to AQP will remain free for patients to use and that access will be based on clinical need in line with the NHS Constitution. It has said that there is nothing to stop CCGs from commissioning certain services from GP practices but that there needs to be a separation between the commissioner and the provider function of the GP practice.

One of the main concerns raised by GPC deputy chairman Dr Richard Vautrey is that opening up NHS services to AQP will lead to fragmentation of services and potentially undermine patient care.

List of services due to be put out to AQP this autumn:

  • ADHD and autism
  • Adult hearing
  • Anti coagulation
  • Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) tier 2
  • Community cardiac diagnosis
  • Community fracture clinic
  • Continence
  • Continuing care
  • Continuing care (children)
  • Continuing care adults
  • Continuing care other
  • Core nail surgery
  • CT
  • Dermatology
  • Diabetes education and self management for ongoing and newly diagnosed (DESMOND)
  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA previously DEXA)
  • Diabetes education
  • Diagnostics
  • ECG
  • Endoscopy
  • Glaucoma
  • Lymphoedema
  • Mental health spot placements
  • Minor oral surgery
  • MRI
  • Musculoskeletal (MSK)
  • MSK carpal tunnel management
  • Non-Ostetric ultrasound
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pain services
  • Podiatry
  • Psychological therapies
  • Smoking cessation
  • Supported accommodation
  • Termination of pregnancy
  • Vasectomy
  • Venous leg ulcers
  • Weight management
  • Wheelchairs

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