GP Amanda Doyle: ‘The NHS revamp isn’t a big bang, it’s a gradual transition’

GP Amanda Doyle: ‘The NHS revamp isn’t a big bang, it’s a gradual transition’ The Blackpool GP and head of the region’s controversial sustainability and transformation plan says she wants to make services better, not make cuts

With the festive season upon us, Amanda Doyle is braced for a lot of hard work. As chief officer of the region’s controversial sustainability and transformation plan (STP) and its fledgling accountable care organisation, she is responsible for improving health and social care in Lancashire and South Cumbria. If that were not enough, the 53-year-old GP is also the chief clinical officer for Blackpool clinical commissioning group and co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners, the national body representing CCGs.

Doyle denies that she has too much on her plate, although she concedes that the hours are long. But she has had to cut back on the amount of time seeing patients. “I’ve been a GP for 22 years, in the same practice. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve done one day a week of general practice:I’m very loth to give that up. It gives me credibility. There’s nothing like seeing patients every week for knowing what’s actually going on. I know exactly what the waiting times are because I’m doing it every week.” Continue reading... The Guardian