GP hours and services

I am pleased to say I receive very few complaints about our local GP service. Many constituents are pleased with the service available to them.

Nationally there are issues with access to good GP services. Some people find it difficult to book an appointment. Some GP surgeries are overloaded, creating delays and difficulties for patients. If the GP service cannot cope, then more people turn up at A and E at the local main hospital.

On Thursday we had a debate about the future for GP services. I wish to see a further expansion of GP numbers, allowing more days and longer hours of opening as new GPs are recruited and become available. There are potential GPs who might like to work at different times and on different days from the standard five day week. If they volunteer contracts could be arranged to suit both them and patient needs for out of hours or week-end appointments.

I intervened in the debate to put this point, which was generally well received.

2 Comments

  1. William Gruff
    February 6, 2015

    Has any assessment been done on the impact of GPs working part-time hours?

  2. alan jutson
    February 7, 2015

    The easier it is to see your own Doctor, the less the pressure should be on A&E.

    Perhaps there is an argument to have a 24/7 GP department attached to A&E with two different waiting areas.
    People could be assessed as and when they report to reception by a trained nurse who could then direct them to the correct waiting area.

    May help free up A&E for real emergencies.

    When there is no waiting for one department, some staff could be transferred across to help the other, until they are required in their primary department once again.

    It would seem to me that too many GP Practices are only open for what are regarded as normal working hours, which maybe ok for those who are at home, but not flexible enough for those who work some distance away.

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