Millions to get better access to GPs
The government has published a new plan for primary care which aims to provide more streamlined access to family doctors and community nurses.
The Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care represents a commitment to tackle the 8am rush for GP and nurse appointments. Patients will be able to contact their general practice more easily and quickly, and find out exactly how their call will be handled on the day they call, based on clinical need and continuing to respect the preference of many patients for face-to-face appointments. If their need is urgent, they will be assessed and given appointments on the same day.
The role of GP practice receptionist will also be upgraded. GP receptionists will become expert ‘care navigators’, tasked with gathering information and making sure patients are directed to the most suitable healthcare professional, as well as helping to simplify and streamline the process of accessing healthcare support.
Investing in technology
As part of the new plan, £240 million of funding will be re-targeted to enable GP practices to embrace the latest technology, replacing old analogue phone systems with hosted digital solutions which offer advanced functionality such as call waiting and instant messaging.
There will also be major investment in new technology to help people stay healthy and manage their care without needing to see their GP. This includes investing in apps to remotely monitor patients with long-term conditions, enabling patients to self-refer to specialists for certain conditions, and rolling out existing NHS App functionality to 90% of GP practices by March 2024.
Expanding pharmacy roles
NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will expand the role of community pharmacy with an additional £645 million of investment. The Pharmacy First initiative would give pharmacists power to provide prescription-only medicines for seven common health conditions (sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women) without the need for the patient to visit a GP.
DHSC will consult with the pharmacy sector on this proposed expanded role, which it’s estimated could significantly relieve pressure on GPs by saving up to 10 million appointments per year, as well as giving patients more choice in where and how they access care.
“We are already making real progress with 10% more GP appointments happening every month compared to before the pandemic,” said Steve Barclay, Health and Social Care Secretary. “I want to make sure people receive the right support when they contact their general practice and bring an end to the 8am scramble for appointments. To do this we are improving technology and reducing bureaucracy, increasing staffing and changing the way primary care services are provided, which are all helping to deliver on the government’s promise to cut waiting lists.”
