The Group, made up of senior experts in different aspects of primary care policy and delivery, from general practice to telephone triage, came together in response to growing political debate surrounding the need to improve accessibility of primary care services.
Chair of the Expert Group on Access to Primary Care, Dr. David Haslam, comments, "The issue of improved access to primary care, and the need to develop services designed to cater for different social groups, has long been on the NHS agenda. But the progress has been slow in terms of transforming ideas into services and policies. And where services, such as NHS Direct and Walk-in Centres, have been introduced, their potential has not yet been fully realised."
The Group examined the strengths and weaknesses of the various existing primary care services, with a view to making constructive suggestions for how these can be best used to deliver accessible care, meeting the needs of all. The experts identified four key principles that should form the foundation for commissioning of primary care services: quality, continuity, accessibility and equity.
Examination of data from NHS Direct and walk-in centres identified that these primary care services are used by different groups of patients to GP services – traditionally the bedrock of primary care provision in the UK. It also found that NHS Direct, walk-in centres and pharmacy have the potential to deliver outreach to those with long-term conditions and offer the opportunity to expand preventative care services. As a result, the Group endorsed the benefits of a mixed-model of care and cautioned against a 'one size fits all' approach to improving access to primary care services.
Dr Haslam adds: "Permanent revolution in primary care has led to destabilisation and demoralisation. PCTs and policy-makers should consider whether local needs can be met by making existing services fit for purpose rather than going back to the drawing board. All the pieces of the primary care jigsaw are there; we just need to fit them together."
The Report makes a number of detailed recommendations to make the primary care system work better for patients. These include:
- PCTs should make greater use of patient expertise when commissioning services, and focus on patient outcomes rather than outputs or activities
- While the role of GPs will remain fundamental, the potential of NHS Direct, walk-in centres and community pharmacies to support hard-to-reach groups should be harnessed
- A single telephone number for urgent care should be implemented to make it simpler for patients to navigate the system
- Joining up different service models using technology to support improved communications and continuity of care should be a priority
Dr Haslam concludes, "We have an opportunity to revitalise primary care, build and spread best practice, and improve the experience and outcomes for patients. We now hope to work with policymakers and the NHS to turn our recommendations into reality."
To view the report please see 'downloads' to the right of this page.
Note: Clinical Solutions was proud to support the Expert Group but any recommendations and editorial control of the report rested with the Group's members.
For more information contact:
Bethan Wadeson
Tel: 01454 629741
