£50m scheme sees GP's offering out of hours appointments and Skype check-ups

Blog home
Categories
Blog Archive
Popular Posts
Recent Posts

• 14 Apr

  One in ten surgeries are going to offer patients the choice of seeing a GP out of hours as well as receiving electronic prescriptions and having check-ups over Skype.

  In October the prime minister unveiled the £50m scheme due to fears of too many people turning up to A&E when appointments with GP's were unattainable, meaning too much pressure was placed on emergency departments. Doctors were invited to apply for funding and the money means that seven million patients at over 1,100 practises will see the trials begin over the next month.

  Labour, however has raised concerns that the majority of people will still have unacceptable long waits to see their GP due to the government removing the requirement for patients to be seen within 48 hours, reports the Guardian.

  Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary, said it had become much harder to get a GP appointment under the coalition. He said: "The big problem with this new plan is that it won't benefit millions of people. For the vast majority who are outside of this scheme, things will carry on getting worse and they are being told to expect to wait a week for a GP appointment. No wonder more and more people are turning to A&E, which has just had its worst year in a decade."

  The new plans will see more surgeries offering a seven-day opening and 8am-8pm appointments. The use of Skype will also be greater alongside email and phone consultations for people who will find it easier.

  Funding will also be made available for more personalised care for 800,000 older people and patients with vulnerabilities as they will get a named GP responsible for their care and same-day access to a GP when needed.

  Cameron will say: "Back in October, I said I wanted to make it easier for people to get appointments that fit in around a busy working week and family commitments. There has been a great response from doctors, with lots of innovative ideas, and we will now see over seven million patients given weekend and evening opening hours, alongside more access to their family doctor on the phone, via email or even Skype."

  Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said the government must be careful that extra access to surgeries is not provided at the expense of availability for the most vulnerable. "Outside of those signed up to the pilot, there will still be close to 7,000 GP practices across the country who will not be receiving extra support to improve patient access or maintain current services. Furthermore, given that this funding is only for one year, there is no assurance of these changes being affordable in future years."

  What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions

  By Laura Matthews

Related articles

• 25 May

  

  

  CARE HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY IN ENGLAND

  Almost three fourth of 372 care homes rated inadequate in 2014 and still operating have improved.205 care homes have improved from a low rating to requiring improvement, 68 are now rated good and 99...

  By Abimbola Duro-David
• 24 May

  

  

  NHS ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGET CUTS

  NHS trusts which have been previously rated good or outstanding will not be inspected as frequently as before, but those rated as inadequate will be regularly visited by the CQC.The Guardian reports...

  By Abimbola Duro-David
• 19 Mar

  

  

  Government to inspect if housing can reduce NHS costs

  In the Budget document the government have said it's looking at the ‘cost-effectiveness of options to integrate spending around some of the most vulnerable groups of people.' This includes...

  By Laura Matthews
• 15 Oct

  

  

  End of life patients are lacking support

  The charity has found that almost 92% of NHS clinical commissioning groups do not provide round the clock telephone helplines, reports the BBC.Guidelines say there should be 24-hour telephone...

  By Laura Matthews
• 15 Sep

  

  

  Social care is being limited due to council cuts

  ADASS are warning that cuts are making the care system "unsustainable" with charities saying hundreds of thousands of people are struggling without help, even though the government says councils have...

  By Laura Matthews
• 17 Jul

  

  

  Young people should not be placed in B&Bs says MPs

  The Commons Education Select Committee has said that B&B accommodation is "threatening and frightening" and should only be used in emergency situations reports the BBC.MPs say that young people...

  By Laura Matthews
• 16 Jul

  

  

  Special measures system designed to improve failing care homes

  A scheme similar to special measures of hospitals will be introduced for care homes and home care agencies next year, ministers will say, reports the BBC.This will cover 25,000 services and could...

  By Laura Matthews
• 14 Jul

  

  

  Research says that one in three Alzheimer's cases can be prevented

  The research says that the main risk factors of Alzheimer's is lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education, reports the BBC. Alzheimer's Research UK said age was still the biggest risk...

  By Laura Matthews
• 10 Jul

  

  

  NHS boss says those with vulnerabilities need joint health and care budget

  Simon Stevens wants to see older people, those with disabilities and people with serious mental health problems given joint pots from the NHS and council-run social care services, reports the...

  By Laura Matthews
• 17 Jun

  

  

  Council falters in reviewing autistic man’s care plan

  According to Community Care:"The ruling was made by the Local Government Ombudsman after the man's mother complained that his physical and mental health deteriorated in the two-year period after...

  By Abimbola Duro-David