New NHS plan about access to primary care
The problem
This plan is in response to growing issues with access to GP services where one in five people report they did not get through or get a reply when they last attempted to contact their GP practice.
The aim is to tackle the 8am rush and reduce the number of people struggling to contact their GP practice. Patients should no longer be asked to call back another day. Patients should know on the day they contact their practice how their request will be managed.
Ruth Light Healthwatch Coventry Chief Officer said:
"We have heard from lots of local people in the last year about their problems and frustrations at not being able to get through to their GP practice, get an appointment, or at not being able to navigate the process at all. It is clear the much need to change to improve access".
Key points
- Money to improve GP phone systems to improve phone by using the most up to date digital systems.
- Patients at more than 90 per cent of GP practices should be able to use the NHS App to see their records, book appointments and order repeat prescriptions by March 2024. Currently, only around 20 per cent of practices offer this.
- Patients will also be encouraged to contact their practice online where possible.
- Funding will be available for technology so practices can monitor long-term conditions from readings patients take in their own homes.
- Enabling patients to self-refer to specialists for certain.
Plus the role of pharmacies will be expanded
Pharmacists will be able to prescribe medication directly, including antibiotics and antivirals where appropriate, to help patients with these seven common conditions:
- sinusitis
- sore throat
- earache
- infected insect bite
- impetigo
- shingles
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
Pharmacies will also expand their blood pressure checking service and their supply of oral contraceptives to women.
They plan to invest up to £645 million over the next two years to expand community pharmacy services, subject to consultation.
This proposal, due to start before the end of 2023.
Staffing
There are also some measures to address issues regarding workforce with funding identified to employ 26,000 more direct patient care staff.
GP specialty training will be expended and it will be easier for newly trained GPs who require a visa to remain in England.
The Government has said, once again, that the NHS workforce strategy will be published in a few months.
The government target to recruit an extra 6,000 GPs by the end of this parliament looks almost certain to be missed.
