DOCTORS from Glasgow have delivered a petition signed by almost 22,000 people to the Scottish Parliament protesting at changes in the way health visitors work.

The GPs are fighting NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's plans to remove health visitors from practices.

Although the city's health bosses claim a compromise has been reached, the doctors don't believe they can trust the board and say the fight isn't over.

The row was sparked by moves to relocate dedicated health visitors' posts from GP practices to social work departments.

The petition, signed by 21,916 people in practices across Glasgow, rejects health board bosses' claims the change would give highly skilled health visitors more time with the children and parents who need them most.

The board agreed on Monday that GPs should be able to take part in local discussions about changes in health visiting.

But Doctor Georgina Brown, from Springburn Health Centre, said: "We have concerns because the health board have not always kept their side of the bargain.

"GPs in Glasgow are united and we want to make sure they follow through on their statement."

Dr Peter Cawston, of Drumchapel Health Centre, said they hadn't won their case yet although a six-week halt to the process was agreed, as reported in the Evening Times at the end of August.

"There has been a substantial U-turn by the board but it is a very vague level."

A health board spokesman said: "We have now agreed with the Local Medical Committee, the body representing the interests of all Greater Glasgow and Clyde GPs, on a set of principles for the implementation of the Health Visitor Review.

"Having suspended implementation of the review a number of weeks ago in order to work with the LMC to resolve areas of concern from local GPs, we are now pleased that a way forward has been agreed which addresses the concerns raised by GPs.

"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde remains committed to ensuring that we make best use of health visitor skills with a stronger and improved focus on the most vulnerable children and families."

30 October 2008

By Brian Currie

Reproduced with the permission of The Evening Times, Glasgow © 2008 Herald & Times Group