Continuing care reports

More and more GPs are being asked to provide Continuing Care Reports.

A GP is required to always act in his patient's best interests and this information should only be provided with the patient's consent

It is not obligatory to provide any report if it is;

not part of the essential services as detailed in the New Contract and therefore included in the global sum.
not included in the Schedule 4 List of Prescribed Certificates under the new GMS 2 regulations.

If a GP chooses to provide such a report he or she may charge a fee.

Practical Clarification

A report is required purely for the purposes of making an administrative funding and/or rationing decision, and is not for the purposes of a clinical decision on treatment.
This is most definitely not essential services and a fee may be charged. It is sensible to agree the fee before compiling the report to avoid any subsequent misunderstanding.

A full clinical assessment is required as part of a comprehensive care record

A consultant or other clinician in a multidisciplinary team would normally prepare this. If a GP is required to do so a fee may be charged. It is sensible to agree the fee before compiling the report to avoid any subsequent misunderstanding.

A brief list of major diagnoses is required to assist a placement decision (palliative care for example)
This is part of essential clinical services and no fee is permitted.

A brief list of major diagnoses is required to confirm a specific diagnosis that will enable a clinical practitioner to make an individual decision about treatment or support.This is part of essential services and no fee is permitted.

CED 2/3/06