The NHS is set to experience a major shake up to the way GPs operate and book appointments after it was announced that the 8am appointment scramble would be scrapped. The big change is set to come into effect next month on May 15, affecting millions of Britons.
GP practices that are unable to offer immediate appointments will be required to either provide an on-the-spot assessment, or redirect them to an “appropriate medical service”.
As per the new regulation, doctors are obligated to respond to patients the first time they get in touch, either by communicating with them or directing them to appropriate healthcare services such as NHS 111.
The regulation also states they can “where appropriate, take into account the preferences of the patient”.
The new update, which was announced by NHS England, aims to help more people secure appointments to “ensure consistency in the access patients can expect”.
Nonetheless, this initiative has generated apprehension among healthcare professionals as they fear it could lead to a higher number of NHS staff leaving the sector.
Dr Kieran Sharrock, the acting chairman of the general practitioners committee England, said the new update is an example of the Government “eking out” more from GPs without providing necessary resources required.
Dr Sharrock 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.”
This measure comes in the wake of several strikes carried out by junior doctors over the last couple of months.
These strikes led to the cancellation of numerous GP appointments.
The British Medical Association said of the move: “With GPs numbers decreasing, consultation numbers higher than ever, and general practice being under-resourced, we think this Government-imposed contract will push GPs and practices to the brink of their existence, within the NHS.
“For this and other reasons GPCE rejected the contract changes.”
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