IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENT APPOINTMENTS

All GP Practices in the UK are facing the following challenges:

  • Whitecliff Group Practice (WGP) offered 107655 appointments (face to face & telephone) from July 2016 to June 2017. This is a 22% increase compared to 2011 when we provided 88370 appointments a year.
  • On average each WGP patient has 6.5 appointments pa.(was 5.4 in 2011). Both of these figures have always been higher than the national average.
  • WGP receives anything between100 and 200requests for urgent / on the day appointments each day. The volume is difficult to predict, but regardless of the volume all patients are dealt with on that same day. These appointments are in addition to pre-booked appointments that are provided each day.
  • The WGP has one of the highest ratios of doctors to patients, yet patients are still often unable to see their named doctor.The current Practice population is 16,500 (it was 16100 in 2011).
  • Increasing workload. GPs routinely working 11 to 12 hour days. GP numbers are decreasing and recruitment of new GPs is difficult (although we currently have no GP vacancies).

Changes to the workload include:

  • More complex patients with multiple illnesses / frailer / living longer.
  • More care moving from hospitals to GP practices (with no funding – so competing with doctor’s time for core services).
  • High thresholds, funding cuts and waiting times for community mental health services / community services mean GPs have more frequent contact with some patients to maintain them at home (beyond their core medical needs). GPs have no choice but to get involved beyond their remit, as these patients need frequent contact to support them; or this will result in hospital admissions, loss of tenancy, patients left unsupported in the community, etc.
  • Government policy (‘Five Year Forward View’) – NHS England is contracting the independent provider GP Practices to work at scale and adopt new ways of working. These proposed changes align to the changing contractual requirements and ensures that the NHS continues to fund this Practice.

We very much appreciate that change is unsettling for our patients and many patients would prefer to continue with the ‘old ways of doing things’. However we also have a duty to balance the needs of patients, patient safety and preserving the sustainability of the Practice as a business and as a place to work.

MAKING BEST USE OF OUR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE A SAFE SERVICE:

Working with Other Specialist Health Professionals:

There are some very positive changes that the Practice has made to deliver care and maintain services for patients in Blandford in these challenging times. The WGP was one of the first practices in the country to employ a Clinical Pharmacy Team to free up doctors from undertaking medication reviews. The GPs are also supported by two Advanced Nurse Practitioners (who can undertake many aspects of a GP role and focus on urgent care, including prescribing).

The Practice also works closely with the local community to keep people healthier for longer. We do this by supporting health events, local charities and support groups to champion self-care and to promote healthy lifestyles.

HOW CAN PATIENTS HELP THE WHITECLIFF GROUP PRACTICE?

  • You can make a significant contribution to your own and your family's good health and well-being and take some personal responsibility for it. Eat healthily and take regular exercise.
  • Self-care is the best choice to treat common illnesses and complaints such as coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains, all of which can often be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.
  • Local pharmacies can also provide confidential expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints, without the need to wait for a GP appointment.
  • Be prepared to help you get the most out of your consultation:
  • Write down the key questions you wish to ask before you visit the practice.
  • If you are already receiving medication write down the medicines and pills or take them with you.
  • Make a note of when you started to feel unwell, your symptoms and any other contributing factors.
  • Only ask for a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the GP.
  • You should keep appointments or cancel within reasonable time. (5% of appointments are wasted this way).