New report outlines a vision for the future of primary care

A new report by National Voices outlines nine proposals to reform primary care, with a focus on improving services for people living with mental and physical health conditions, and disability.

The proposals have been signed and supported by over 50 organisations, including Cancer Research UK, Age UK, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Diabetes UK and Dementia UK.

GPs and other primary care staff in need of support

Public satisfaction with GP services is at an all-time low, with just 35% of the public satisfied with how services in primary care are run.

But it’s not just patients who are dissatisfied, staff are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with their workload, and the report also focuses on supporting staff to ensure we do not experience a mass exodus of GPs in the near future.

The report therefore urges the government to provide adequate funding and expand the GP primary care workforce in response to the level of need within the public.

As the report states: “The current state of play for primary care services is not working – for patients or for the primary care workforce. We find ourselves at a crossroads.

“Through insights gathered within our coalition of health and care charities, we have identified nine proposals for the reform of primary care which we believe would make a significant difference for people living with health conditions and disability, and in particular people from groups that experience health inequalities.”

Primary care services are the ‘front door to the NHS’

The proposals outlined in the report are a mixture of short-term and long-term changes that aim to improve primary care services for both patients and staff alike. These include calls to:

1. Revamp access and triage, putting choice, personalisation and equity at the centre.
2. Modernise and revamp communications, putting choice, personalisation and equity at the heart.
3. Make support for people with multiple long-term conditions more joined up within primary care.
4. Develop clearer standardised processes for diagnosis of health conditions.
5. Make it easier for people to book longer appointments in general practice.
6. Better equip primary care professionals to meet people’s needs in holistic ways.
7. Tackle the inverse care law for GPs and dentists in areas of socioeconomic inequality.
8. Bring an end to wrongfully refused registrations in GPs and dentists.
9. Work in partnership with people, communities and voluntary sector organisations for everyone’s benefit.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices hopes the proposals, when implemented, will “make a significant difference to everyone who accesses primary care services, but in particular people living with mental and physical health conditions and disability, and people experiencing health inequalities.”

Many areas in “desperate need” of support and investment

Health leaders have welcomed the proposals, and Dr Kieran Sharrock, acting chair of GPC England at the BMA, said the report “shows the incredible potential in general practice and what significant improvements could be made if our profession is finally given the investment it so desperately needs.”

“While the Primary Care Recovery Plan has committed to improving access to GP services, this is only a first step and, as this report shows, there are many other areas in desperate need of support and investment, from standardising care pathways to speed-up diagnosis and treatment times, to tackling health inequalities,” he added.

Dr Sharrok says it is now “critical” for the government to ensure there are enough staff to deliver these proposals, as currently, we are short of the equivalent of at least 6,700 full-time qualified GPs.

“The long-term workforce plan is imminent, and in that plan, we need to see how the Government will bolster the GP workforce, both by recruiting more staff and retaining the experienced, talented professionals already working in the NHS. Only then can we make visions like this a reality and give patients a service they deserve,” he said.