NHS announces major change to booking GP appointments to end '8am scramble'
All GP surgeries in England are set to move over to a digital phone system by next Spring in a bid to end the notorious "8am scramble" for GP appointments,
Over 1,000 practices have already signed up for this upgrade, which is due to be fully operational from next March.
This major switch has been bolstered by a hefty £240 million investment from the Government, announced back in May as part of the Primary Care Recovery Plan.
It is hoped it will allow patients to contact their GP faster and have their request dealt with on the day rather than having to call back.
Additionally, the online systems should prevent patients from encountering an engaged tone, offering them a wider range of options instead.
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However as The Mirror reported last night, there are fears that the new system - employing an army of 'care navigators' trained to answer the phones in GP surgeries and redirect the calls elsewhere - could make it harder than ever to see a GP.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay expressed his optimism about the initiative, stating: "We are delivering on our promises to make access to GP appointments easier while boosting staffing numbers."
He added, "With the support of NHS England, general practices, pharmacies and dental surgeries, backed by significant investment from the Government, we will bring an end to the 8am scramble for appointments."
The Government also reported progress on the Primary Care Recovery Plan, with ongoing discussions involving NHS England and pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, consultations are set to be launched to consider empowering dental hygienists and pharmacy technicians with the ability to prescribe certain medicines.
In a bid to optimise the use of skilled professionals and streamline services, Health Minister Neil O'Brien announced that the Government is keen on "freeing up dentists and pharmacists to carry out vital services".
O'Brien praised the wealth of skill and experience within surgeries and pharmacies, stating that through better utilisation of technology, service transfers, and bureaucracy reduction, a more efficient and effective service can be achieved.
In other developments, women may soon be able to access oral contraception through pharmacies instead of their family doctors. Additionally, patients requiring prescription drugs for seven common ailments, including earache and shingles, could obtain them without needing a GP appointment.
The initiative also includes plans to expand blood pressure checks at local pharmacies.
Dr Kiren Collison, a GP and interim medical director for primary care at NHS England, expressed her enthusiasm about the changes. She said: "GP teams are already treating record numbers of patients but we are determined to improve access further, which is why it is fantastic that all GP practices will be upgrading their telephone systems to make it as easy as possible for patients to contact their practice."
She added that the NHS is offering people more convenient options in how they access care, with pharmacies playing a central role in managing the nation's health. The pharmacy consultation announced on 18, Aug 2023 will help ensure that more staff can provide lifesaving checks and medication on the high street.
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* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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