02.10.13
Increased GP access ‘to be welcomed’
The Government’s proposals to extend GP hours have been welcomed by the health sector – but there are also warnings that pressures on primary care needed to be addressed.
The new plans would see ‘pioneer’ GP practices across the country increasing access to GP services at the weekend and up until 8pm on weekdays.
Dr Hilary Emery, chief executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said: “Children, young people and their families have a right to health services designed around their lives and needs.
“GPs want to provide the best possible care for their patients, but the way these services are configured and commissioned does not always support this. Where families want to put their trust in their local GP practice, they are seldom available at the hours that busy families require, encouraging them to turn to A&E instead.”
Chris Ham, chief executive of The King’s Fund, said: “Patients with busy working lives often find it difficult to make appointments at a convenient time. While some practices have made good progress in harnessing the benefits of technology – which evidence shows is delivering benefits to patients – others have been slow to adapt.
“It is important to recognise that general practice is under increasing pressure, with some practices in need of investment and forecasts suggesting a significant shortfall of GPs will develop over the next decade. However, there are opportunities to work more efficiently, particularly if practices work together in federations, networks and partnerships. Today's announcement will therefore provide welcome impetus towards ensuring that extended opening hours and better use of technology become the norm, rather than the exception.
“However, the biggest challenges facing general practice are to tackle variations in the quality of care and meet the needs of the growing number of people with long-term conditions. For many of these patients, improving continuity of care is more important than extending access. Meeting their needs will also require sustained reform to ensure that general practice provides a wider range of services, closer to people's homes.”
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive & general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “Increasing patient access to GP services, through more flexible hours and increased technology, is to be greatly welcomed. Nurses working in general practice will play a vital role in the multi-disciplinary delivery of these services, providing greater face to face support to patients.
“Urgent investment has long been needed in general practice and treating more patients in primary care settings can decrease burden on other struggling services. However any extension of services needs to be effectively resourced to equip GPs and nurses working in general practice with adequate tools to cope with demand. The use of new technology must also guarantee patient confidentiality.”
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Image c. NHS Oldham