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GP Revolution: Minor Surgery Moves from Hospital to Surgery
24 Nov
Summary
- A GP's 1979 article advocated for minor surgeries in GP offices.
- Lobbying led to government incentives for GPs performing surgery.
- Over 20,000 procedures were performed by one GP before retirement.
A 1979 British Medical Journal article by Kent GP John Stuart Brown championed the benefits of performing minor surgeries within general practice. He argued it was faster, more convenient, and cost-effective than hospital referrals, saving significant amounts annually. His advocacy, including lobbying Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was instrumental in the 1987 "Promoting Better Health" white paper, which proposed financial incentives.
This initiative culminated in the 1990 GP contract, enabling payment for procedures like skin lesion removal and varicose vein treatment. Consequently, GP surgical procedures surged by 41% in 1991. Fears regarding care standards proved unfounded, though it led to increased demand for treatments, demonstrating the accessibility and impact of these changes.
Brown, with a surgical background, personally performed an estimated 20,000 procedures before his retirement in 2000. He also authored a key textbook, "Minor Surgery: A Text and Atlas," and trained colleagues, cementing his legacy. His contributions significantly reshaped primary healthcare, making routine surgical interventions more accessible.
