Wednesday 21 September 2022 10:38 PM Therese Coffey wants GP appointments to take place within two weeks of booking trends now
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GPs must offer same day appointments to their sickest patients or face being named and shamed in league tables, Therese Coffey will say today.
The Health Secretary will vow to put a ‘laser-like focus’ on patient needs as she unveils plans to improve access to family doctors.
She will demand GPs see non-urgent cases within two weeks and publish waiting times at individual practices for the first time.
This will let patients compare their GP’s performance with others nearby and potentially move to one offering a faster service.
The Health Secretary will vow to put a ‘laser-like focus’ on patient needs as she unveils plans to improve access to family doctors
Ministers have previously made a string of pledges to improve access to GPs but with many patients still struggling to get appointments, there may be scepticism over whether the new plans will make a genuine difference.
The Royal College of GPs said last night Miss Coffey had failed to consult it on the changes, which it warned would add to doctors’ workload and have a ‘minimal impact’ on patient care.
The Health Secretary will present her ‘Plan for Patients’ to the Commons, detailing a drive to avert an NHS winter crisis. It will include new telephone systems to make it easier to get through to receptionists and keep callers updated of their place in the queue.
The changes are aimed at easing the 8am scramble for appointments and ending the frustration of constant engaged tones or being left hanging on the line.
It comes as
