GPs in Northern Ireland will not implement NICE guidance unless resourced

Usually it is drugmakers which argue against recommendations from the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), but his time its doctors. General Practitioners in Northern Ireland have backed calls for GPC Northern Ireland (GPCNI) to agree only to implement NICE guidance accompanied by adequate resources, reports HealthCare Republic.

Eastern LMC member Martin Cunningham told the Northern Ireland LMCs conference in Enniskillen over the weekend that, although the NICE vetoed expensive treatments, it often issued guidance with 'scant regard' to the cost of implementing it.

'This is a timely issue. We've heard that 65% of GPs rarely have access to psychological therapies within six months. It's an example of where the resources do not meet the guidelines,' he said, adding: 'Ultimately the result will be more articles in the press saying we have failed again.' A motion was passed calling for the GPCNI not to accept the implementation of 'any guidance or scenario' unless adequate resources were secured and 'a shared care plan is in place.'