A big change to GP appointments in England is on its way next month in a move that will affect millions, Birmingham Live reports. The new way of working comes one month after it was confirmed the 8am phone-in scramble would be abolished.
From May 15, GPs that cannot offer a person an appointment for that day will instead be obliged to offer them an assessment. Alternatively, they can signpost their patient to an 'appropriate medical service'.
However, while the news may seem promising for patients, some doctors say it will increase an already unmanageable workload. Dr Kieran Sharrock, acting chairman of the general practitioners committee in England, said: “Without investment to do more, practices have to free up resources from elsewhere.
"This hasn’t been properly considered. Ramping up GP workload, and without the support needed, will lead to more GPs leaving the profession. Ultimately, it’s our patients who suffer most, and this means more of them will be left waiting longer for the care they desperately need.”
NHS director of primary care Dr Ursula Montgomery said: “GP teams have worked hard to deliver record numbers of appointments with half a million more delivered each week last year compared to pre-pandemic, and this new contract aims to build on this further with more access for patients.
"As well as providing same day care to more than two fifths of patients, GP teams will also step-up preventive action against heart attacks and strokes over the next year, with health professionals encouraged to prescribe statins alongside other preventative measures such as exercise to a much wider number of patients with heart disease, arterial disease and those who suffered a stroke or who have high levels of cholesterol. This contract supports GP teams to provide what matters to patients."
Prof Aruna Garcea, primary care chair at the NHS Confederation, said: “Primary care is carrying out 11% more appointments than before the pandemic, which is particularly impressive given their patients tend to present with multiple and more complex needs.”
