26.03.13
Primary care access must be fair to all – The Patients Association
79% of people would not feel safe relying on the NHS out-of-hours services in a medical emergency, new research suggests.
The Patients Association report ‘Primary Care: Access Denied’, shows that 61% of people have to wait longer than 48 hours to book an appointment, and 57% said the process was either very difficult or could have been easier. 38% have had to take at least a day off work to attend a GP appointment.
The report highlights challenges in access and a lack of confidence and understanding of when and where to seek help when a GP practice is closed. It calls for the NHS Commissioning Board to review emergency care across primary care to reduce costly admissions and keep care local.
The Government, NHS and GPs need to work together to expand patient choice and access by addressing barriers to appointments and improve the delivery of local awareness campaigns.
Katherine Murphy, chief executive of The Patients Association, said: “As many as 9 out of 10 public interactions with the health and social care system are through primary care, including GP services, so it is essential we make sure access is fair to all. What our survey shows is that public confidence in out-of-hours services is worryingly low and that is not always as easy as it should be to get an appointment with a GP.
“The majority of people are forced to take time off work simply to have a check-up and almost two thirds have to wait longer than 48 hours for an appointment.
“We need an NHS in every community that operates effectively, safely and compassionately during and outside office hours. Keeping people out of hospital and living independent, healthier lifestyles means delivering more integrated and accessible community based care.
“Our calls to action set out clear steps towards this vision.”
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