Council challenges NHS to improve access to GPs
A PUSH for improvements in GP services has been announced by Wokingham Borough Council.
In the recent NHS Patient Experience Survey, five of the borough’s GP surgeries sit in the top 10% in the UK, but the council sais residents’ experiences are inconsistent.
It is experiencing a 40% rise in demand for GP services as the pandemic continues.
The borough council has asked both West Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System to take action to improve access to face-to-face consultation’s.
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for adult services and public health, said it is “very clear” the clinicians are working under pressure.
“Many of our
GP’s do an excellent job in difficult circumstances,” he said. “But we know we have pockets of poor performance as we are hearing it repeatedly from our residents.
“We have to take action now to improve the situation for our residents both in terms of performance and access and we have challenged both the West Berkshire Clinical Commissioning
Group and BOB West Integrated Care
System to make this a priority.”
While seeing a GP is important to many people, there are other options if people feel unwell.
These include self-care, visiting a pharmacy, calling 111 or seeking advice on the NHS website.
Cllr Margetts added: “When you are unwell you often think you need to see a GP but check to see if your symptoms can be managed at home with simple remedies or talk to your local pharmacist.
“Find out what services are available locally and make sure you have a well-stocked and up-to-date medicine cabinet or first aid kit at home.
Cllr Margetts said residents don’t need to see a GP for a repeat prescription or to have their blood pressure taken.
He said: “By making yourself aware of what is available to you will also help with the demand on clinicians in general practice.”