GPs to be given freedom to order heart and respiratory checks

GP practices throughout England will now be able to order a number of checks directly in order to help speed up the diagnosis of a range of respiratory and heart conditions.

GPs have traditionally referred to specialists when conditions like lung problems and heart failure are suspected. However, the ability to refer direct, which was rolled out for cancer last year, is now being extended to include these conditions.

GPs have welcomed the move, but some have questioned whether there was sufficient testing capacity to cope.

Currently 25 per cent of people are waiting for longer than six weeks for a diagnostic test. Prior to the pandemic, this figure was 3-4 per cent.

NHS England said the diagnostic testing capacity was increasing with the rollout of one-stop community testing centres to supplement tests available in hospitals. It also added that the move would free up the time of hospital doctors to focus on tackling the backlog in treatment.

Alongside heart failure, the increased access to testing is aimed at speeding up diagnosis for conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes problems with breathing.

Dr Vin Diwakar of NHS England, said “We know how important it is to diagnose people with conditions like these early so they can get the treatment they need to manage their condition well and to prevent more serious conditions or illness from developing.”

John Maingay of the British Heart Foundation, said access to testing was an issue along with waits when diagnosed, adding “Many people are facing extremely long waits for heart care in England.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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