Any Qualified Provider
Any Qualified Provider (AQP) is a way of commissioning services that opens up the NHS to a huge range of different providers.Patients will choose from a list of providers for a growing number of healthcare services.
So, for example, when a patient visits their GP for a certain condition, if the service they require falls under AQP the patient will be given a list of different providers who may provide their care.
The government has stated that each primary care trust or group of primary care trusts must choose three or more community or mental health services in their geographic area where services must be offered to patients through the AQP model.
This will be implemented between April and Sept 2012.
UNISON is concerned about the government’s policy of 'Any Qualified Provider'.
Providers will be expected to compete for patients on a continuous basis with no guarantees of volume of work for them.
This will create huge instability for patients and for staff and if a provider goes bust because there is not enough work, TUPE may not apply.
Also, this move will almost certainly increase the number of profit-driven companies that provide health care.
How is AQP affecting you?
We need to find out more about how AQP is affecting UNISON members.
We know that how AQP affects people will vary; for example in some places for some services AQP has already started whereas in others it hasn’t yet.
We'd like you tell us how AQP is, or will affect you.
Take our online surveyIt takes about eight minutes to complete our survey, and your input will help inform what guidance branches need.
The survey will close on 20 January 2012.
Further information
For further information on AQP and how it will affect you.
UNISON's AQP Fact SheetDepartment of Health set of FAQs: "What does AQP mean to employees?":
www.supply2health.nhs.uk/AQPResourceCentre/Pages/AQPNHSEmployees.aspx
Services selected to be provided through AQP:
www.supply2health.nhs.uk/AQPResourceCentre/AQPMap/AQPMap.aspx
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact the UNISON Health Group at health@unison.co.uk or call 0845 355 0845.
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