The Health service journal
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The relationship between increased emergency admissions and longer waiting lists in winter has not been proven. Waiting lists are more likely to be affected by patterns of elective work than emergency admissions. Slowdown in elective work in summer is at the root of winter problems.
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Health authorities are likely to emerge as the poor relations in the current NHS reorganisation, just as they did following the 1990 reforms. Planning for health is a key NHS task and primary care groups will not be large enough to take it on. ⋯ Future options include abolishing HAs and making local authorities, regional government or NHS regions responsible for planning. Another option would be creating fewer, bigger authorities for strategic planning.
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Research in Birmingham involving GPs, the health authority and the local medical committee found support for umbrella arrangements for some primary care group functions. Clinical governance and strategic city-wide planning emerged as particularly suitable for these arrangements. A range of support arrangements are likely to emerge as PCGs develop.