01.10.13
Extra GP access ‘most exciting development in primary care’
New pioneer programmes will see extended access to GPs, with patients able to make appointments at the weekend and out of office hours.
Doctors’ surgeries will be open from 8am to 8pm to help people fit in appointments around work. GP practices will be invited to apply to a new £50m Challenge Fund to test seven day access, as well as Skype, email and phone consultations to strengthen out of hospital care and join up services.
Pioneers will be established in nine regions and are expected to cover up to half a million patients from 2014/15. Electronic prescriptions and online appointment booking, improved telecare and greater flexibility around accessing general practice will also be driven forward to boost access.
The approach is being piloted in six practices in Manchester in a six month trial to cut unnecessary A&E visits.
Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “Millions of people find it hard to get an appointment to see their GP at a time that fits in with their work and family life.
“We want to support GPs to modernise their services so they can see patients from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. We also want greater flexibility, so people can speak to their family doctor on the phone, send them an email or even speak to them on Skype.”
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “We live in a 24/7 society, and we need GPs to find new ways of working so they can offer appointments at times that suit hard-working people.
“Cutting-edge GP practices here in Manchester are leading the way, and we want many more patients across the country to benefit.”
Professor Steve Field, chief inspector for general practice, said: “This move towards seven day services is great news for patients, and should be embraced by GPs. I want to see brilliant access to GP services for patients across the country, and will be assessing this in each practice I inspect.”
Dr Charles Alessi, chair of the National Association of Primary Care, said: “This has the potential to be the most exciting development in primary care in the last decade. It is an opportunity for doctors to be the good family doctors they want to be while working with everyone in the system to deliver better care for everyone, especially those most in need.”
Mike Dixon, chair of the NHS Alliance, said: “GPs want to do their best for patients and will welcome the opportunities offered by these pilots. Many have innovative ideas on how to deliver better and more convenient services and are already developing them for their patients. These programmes will provide the support and resources they need to make this a reality across the country.”
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