Patients will be able to see their GP seven days a week and out of office hours under new proposals set out by the Prime Minister. The move will make it easier for people see their family doctor from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.
It will help thousands who struggle to find GP appointments that fit in with their family and work life. Innovative practices will be able to apply to a new £50 m Challenge Fund to set up a pioneer programme. Pioneers will be established in every region of the country – nine in total – which together are expected to cover up to half a million patients. Ministers want to use the pilots as the first step to rolling the scheme out across the country and encouraging hundreds more GP practices to sign up. As well as seven-day-a-week access and evening opening hours, these new pioneer GP groups will also test a variety of services to suit modern lifestyles, including greater use of Skype, email and phone consultations for those who would find it easier. This first wave of pioneers will form part of a wider plan to strengthen out-of-hospital NHS care, and make it easier for practices to join up with each other, as well as other services provided in the community. Based on the success of the first wave, other groups will be encouraged and enabled to open their doors at the evenings and weekends. The first wave will open during 2014/15, and include services such as:
• Access 8 am to 8 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday.
• Flexible access including email, Skype and phone consultations for those who might prefer it to face-to-face, when it is safe to do so.
• Electronic prescriptions and online booking of appointments.
• Easier, online registration and choice of practice.
• Joining-up of urgent care and out-of-hours care to ensure rapid walk-in access to care.
• Greater flexibility about how people access general practice, for instance with the option to visit a number of GP surgery sites in their area.
• Better access to ‘telecare’ to help sick people stay comfortable at home, as well as to healthy living apps.
The aim is for as many people as possible to benefit from extended access, as rapidly as possible, with the pilots leading the way for others to follow.
Photo Credit: National Cancer Institute
