Ministers’ seven-day GP access plan in complete disarray say doctors’ leaders
DOCTORS’ LEADERS have claimed the Government’s plans to extend access to GPs in England are in “complete disarray”, after a report warned of “difficulties” recruiting and retaining enough family doctors to deliver them.
The National Audit Office said shortfalls in training places, increased part-time working and early retirement mean there may be 1,900 fewer GPs by 2020 than health authorities had predicted.
The Department of Health has promised additional funding and 5,000 extra doctors in general practice by 2020 to meet a Conservative election promise for weekend and evening access to GPs.
But the NAO report found that the department had failed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and consequences of the proposals or to show that they can provide value for money from existing services.
Some 46 per cent of practices already close for part of their “core hour” opening times of 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
Funding the extended hours commitment will require at least £230 per appointment hour for every 1,000 registered patients, compared with £154 during normal opening hours, said the watchdog.
The chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, Chaand Nagpaul, described the report as “further evidence that the Government’s plans for extending patient access are in complete disarray”.
12.30pm – Mass, 5.10pm – Vespers, 5.30pm – Holy Mass.
1.05pm Holy Communion (Prayer Book), 7pm – BCP Evensong.
7.30am – Matins, 8am – Holy Communion (Order 1), 10.30am – Holy Communion (Order 2),12.30pm – Holy Communion (Order 1), 5.30pm – Evensong.
8.30am – Matins, 9am – The Eucharist, 1pm – Lunchtime Concert, 6pm – Evensong.
8.45am – Morning Prayer, 10am – Age UK Coffee, 7pm – Mothers’ Union Meeting. 10am – Holy Communion.
8.45am – Morning Prayer, 10am – Cathedral Toddler Group (Nave), 11.45am – Archer Project Weekly Prayers (Crypt Chapel of All Saints),12.30pm – Eucharist, 5.45pm – Evensong.
6.30pm – Mass.
8.15am – Morning Liturgy, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong.
7.30am – Matins, 7.50am – Holy Communion, 12.30pm – Holy Communion (with prayers for healing and peace), 5.15pm – Evensong.