The PPP 'without the GP' – a Western Cape story

Abstract

Private GPs in the Western Cape claim they’ve been side-lined by the provincial health authority in a major new pharmacy-chain-friendly public sector drive to increase the region’s overall family planning and infant immunisation footprint.

Instead of simply picking up free supplies of condoms and oral and injectable contraceptives, plus the standard range of infant vaccines from the nearest district hospital or provincial drug supply depot, (as they have in the past), GPs must now tender for a 2-year contract via an exacting 8-page form, and offer free consultations to relevant patients 1 day per week. The Western Cape branch of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), a large SAMA-affiliated GP group, and the 600-member independent practitioner association Cape Primary Care Qualicare (CPC Qualicare) have complained that the initial tender time-frame was too short (extended to 31 January this year), the application process too cumbersome and conditions too demanding and costly for any well-meaning GP.