17.09.15
Most GPs still not offering patients legal choice of outpatient provider
Most GPs are still not offering patients the legally required choice of hospital or clinic for their first outpatient appointments, a survey published by Monitor and NHS England shows.
The survey, which asked more than 2,700 patients about their outpatient experience, found that 60% of them were not granted their right to choose.
This is the same figure as in Monitor’s May 2014 survey, in which only 38% of patients reported being offered a choice, while 2% didn’t know.
Nearly 60% of those who were not offered a choice reported ending up not at the hospital or clinic they wanted to go to. But the vast majority (92%) of those offered a choice did end up where they wanted to go.
Despite this, almost half of patients knew they had a choice between hospitals and clinics before they visited their GP.
Monitor concluded that more work needed to be done to promote patient choice across the NHS.
Catherine Davies, executive director, said: “We think it’s only right that patients are in the driving seat when it comes to making decisions that affect their health, and this shows us that GPs are continuing to have helpful conversations with patients and offering more choice.
“But there is still more the NHS can do to make sure patients are aware of their legal right to choose and are able to make a choice.”
The regulator made assurances that it would “continue to support the sector” in increasing the number of patients “exercising their right to choose” healthcare providers.
Dr Richard Vautrey, BMA GP committee deputy chair, acknowledged that encouraging discussion and offering a choice is an important part of how services are delivered.
But he added: “While GPs are working hard to deliver a record number of appointments to the public, they are under incredible pressure from rising demand, especially from an ageing population. Many of these cases are complex as older patients often have several conditions that leave limited time for discussions about referrals, not least as many patients still prefer to go to their local hospital.
“Some CCGs are also restricting GP referrals to cut costs, which further constrains the options available for both GPs and the public.”
He said the only way to “really open up choice” is to introduce longer consultation periods, citing a recent BMA survey of over 15,000 GPs where only one in ten practitioners felt appointments were currently long enough.
“We also need a properly funded and supported GP service that gives doctors the capacity and ability to meaningfully ensure patients get a say over their treatment options,” he added.