GPSIs put off by 'PCT accreditation'.(primary care trusts)(General practitioners with special interests)

The new accreditation system for GPSIs in England will put many GPs off training for a specialty, the GPC has warned.

The system, launched by the DoH earlier this month, aims to bring all GPSIs up to a single national standard (GP, 4 May).

But individual PCTs will make the final decision on whether to accredit GPs in their area. As a result, GPs fear that PCT commissioning, rather than national standards, will count most for GPSI accreditation.

Under the system, GPs must attend an RCGP-approved course and prove their commitment to the specialty and their generalist position, before a panel at the local PCT decides whether the GP and their service …