Patients to choose GPs

Released 08/03/2010

Health Secretary announces consultation on GP choice

Patients will have the chance to choose the best GP practice for them under new plans in a consultation published by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

The consultation is seeking views on a wide range of proposals, in particular around the issues involved in arranging home visits, co-ordination of community based services, safeguarding access for local residents, and access to hospital and specialist treatment.

On a visit to Wandsworth Medical Centre, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham said: "In the next 10 years, the most exciting changes in healthcare will take place in primary care, as more services move out of hospitals and into the community. This is better for patients as well as a more efficient way of delivering services.

"Giving people more choice of GP services will help drive up standards and improve quality. It is the right move at the right time. This policy will drive change, and allow for more responsive primary care for all.

"We know that to make this work some changes will be needed, for example how we organise home visits for those people who choose to register with a practice further away from where they live. That's why we would like to hear from patients, GPs and practice staff with their views on how the new system should work and how we ensure patients have a wider and more meaningful choice of GP practice.'

"We have already greatly improved access to GP services and most people are satisfied or very satisfied with their GP but in a great NHS, everybody should be able to choose the best care for themselves and their families. That means the freedom to choose their GP and not be faced with artificial restrictions, like practice boundaries, that limit their choice."

Dr Seth Rankin, managing partner of Wandsworth Medical Centre added: "Having a wider choice of GP services and being able to register at practices that are nearer to your place of work or your community is something that many patients would really appreciate. If the problems of home visiting patients living long distances away can be worked out it is an exciting new challenge for general practice which we look forward to.

"I think that patients being able to find GP services that more closely match their expectations and needs can only be a good thing for both patients and GPs."

Royce Franklin, vice-chairman, The National Association for Patient Participation, added: "The National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) agrees in principle that greater choice of GP surgery is desirable. This will enable more patients to access the services that best meet their needs but there are many practical challenges to be addressed. NAPP will continue to work with the Department of Health and other partners to find solutions that bring the greatest benefits to all patients."

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