BMA Comment On Access To GP Services, UK
"GPs are clearly succeeding in their efforts to improve access for patients. However in pressing for longer opening hours the government seems to forget why the opening hours of the new contract were agreed. They recognised the chronic shortage of family doctors and that it was unreasonable and unsafe to expect the same doctor to work through the day and then evenings and weekends as well.
"A shift to more appointments in evenings or at weekends would inevitably mean fewer during the normal day if we are to work within existing resources. The majority of our patients - the young and those with chronic, long-term conditions - don't want to lose daytime surgery hours. They would be disadvantaged as a result.
"For a modern service to operate in the evenings it would also require all other NHS services, for example lab tests and Xrays, to be open late too. PCTs have had the ability to invest in providing extra evening or Saturday surgeries for years but very few have chosen to do so. GPs do want to work with patients to improve access but they need appropriate resources. Today's survey results show what has already been achieved."
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Article adapted by Start Sanatate from original press release.
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For further information please go to:
British Medical Association
Source:
BMA News, the membership magazine of the British Medical Association
BMA comentariu cu privire la accesul la servicii de gp, Marea Britanie - BMA Comment On Access To GP Services, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate