Same day pledge for GP appointments

The health secretary is promising to improve access to GPs, including same-day appointments for patients who need them, as part of a new plan in England.

 

Therese Coffey will make the pledge as she unveils her NHS plan for the next two winters.

 

Plans including GPs being able to take on extra staff, including senior nurses, while pharmacists will be asked to take on additional work to free up appointments.

 

However, GP leaders have said the announcement would have a “minimal impact”.

 

The move comes amid declining satisfaction with access to GPs, with the most recent GP survey showing just over fifty per cent of patients rating their experience as good.

 

Ms Coffey is due to announce the plan, which will also cover hospital services, on Thursday and is expected to say “I will put a laser-like focus on the needs of patients, making their priorities and being a champion for them on issues that affect them most.

 

As well as same-day appointments being available when needed, Ms Coffey will promise that no-one will have to wait for longer than two weeks for a routine appointment – currently one in five are taking longer.

 

The promises on waiting times are not official targets, but Ms Coffey said they should be seen as clear expectations of what patients should be entitled to.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

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

 

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