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Government to consult patients on Primary Care

The Government this week announced long-term plans for primary care with the emphasis on giving the public and patients a stronger voice, enabling them to make informed decisions and to have greater choice and control in managing their health and healthcare.

‘Our vision for Primary and Community Care’ outlines plans to give patients a stronger say in how they are cared for and better access to GPs and other health services in the future.

The Government has announced an extra £250million investment and produced a list of priorities and policies for the next few years.

One of the areas that the Government is keen to push is GP access. Together with the ongoing polyclinic proposals, the Government has outlined plans to give patients more choice, including offering GP consultation via telephone and email.

The report states that "patients will be able to register online and have a greater range of options for consulting with their GP (e.g. by telephone or email)". The plans will mean that patients will be able to speak to a qualified health professional over the phone to deal with health enquiries.

Westfield Health already offers a GP telephone consultation service on some of its cash plans.

The benefit gives policyholders, and their resident family members, telephone access to a qualified GP at a time of their choice, from anywhere in the world.

The consultation line offers advice, diagnosis and reassurance at a scheduled convenient time for the policyholder. The majority of calls result in patients receiving a diagnosis and advice, eliminating the need for further medical guidance.

REFERENCE

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=372774&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

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