Dr Mary McCarthy: European expertise is welcome addition

UEMO is the European Union of General Practitioners/family doctors and was founded 50 years ago in Paris. So as well as a working conference, there was cause for celebration to mark the anniversary.

It is always beneficial to meet with GPs from other countries and discuss what works well in their health system.

Though many European health systems operate differently, we share similarities and can always learn something from doctors who practice within different health system.

The setting up of any system depends on three factors. First there is the structure; the physical set-up, the buildings, sanitation, and accommodation.

Secondly there is the staffing; what sort of skills do you need and how many people do you need to staff it adequately to carry out the project you envisage.

Thirdly, you need appropriate funding for the project; enough resources, adequate financing and continued support.

GPs in Europe work in a range of different health systems; those funded by general taxation, statutory health insurance, a mixture of basic health care topped up with private insurance and means testing whereby the poor, vulnerable, children, elderly and those with long-term health conditions are protected from financial costs.

Despite these differences, general practitioners throughout Europe agreed on how general practice should function.

A good premise is important to ensure there is enough space for consulting rooms, treatment rooms and waiting areas as well as having the necessary disability access. Transport links are also important to ensure that there is easy access.

French GPs thought that cultivating a pleasant atmosphere in the surgery with a move away from the usual clinical aesthetic led to a nicer patient experience.

The doctors from Italy felt that children could benefit from special areas where they could be examined in a non-clinical space.

In a number of European countries more clinical-based procedures are carried out within the practice, including blood testing before antibiotics are prescribed. Some countries even have ultrasound within GP surgeries rather than in hospitals and have X-ray facilities within the building.

There was a consensus amongst the doctors that integrated working within the community with the use of counsellors, physiotherapists and nutritionists, amongst other health care specialists, was beneficial to the overall efficiency of healthcare within the community.

In the majority of European countries family doctors are recognised as specialists in general practice and the doctors at the UEMO meeting asked that this recognition should be taken up with the European Commission.

It is a shame that so many EU doctors within the UK are considering leaving in response to Brexit as it is very valuable to have people from a different background working in general practice to bring a different perspective on how things are done. Without this, we can become stuck in our ways and it is difficult to grow our practice.

It is important that the government recognises GPs for the specialists that they are and provide the adequate funding. Bringing the UK health care budget up to the European average would be a good start.