Loss of confidence in GP service

A leading patient group, The Patients Association, has reported that patients in England do not feel safe relying on GP out of hours services, and struggle to get access to a doctor during normal hours.

A leading patient group, The Patients Association, has reported that patients in England do not feel safe relying on GP out of hours services, and struggle to get access to a doctor during normal hours. A survey of 3,000 members and supporters was undertaken and results indicated that unless the government undertake an urgent review of the “complex and convoluted” system, the public will lose faith in the system completely.

Sixty one per cent of those surveyed said they had to wait longer than 48 hours to obtain a GP appointment, while more than a third reported that they had to take a day off from work to attend.

In order to keep people out of hospital, living healthy independent lives it is essential to provide more integrated and accessible community based care. There is a need to ensure a system that operates effectively and safely, not simply during office hours.

Health Minister, Lord Howe said “The local NHS has a legal requirement to make sure high quality out of hours care is in place”.

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