Dorset GP 'optimistic' new plans will end daily appointment scramble

A Dorset GP has welcomed the government’s plans to “bring back the family doctor” and end the "8am scramble" for appointments.

It comes as GPs across the UK accepted a new £899 million contract that will “free up doctors from red tape and box-ticking targets", allowing them to focus on treating patients.

As a result of the agreement, more patients in Dorset will be able to book appointments online and request to see their regular doctor.

Lyme Regis GP, Dr Forbes Watson who is also chair of the Dorset GP Alliance supports the plans: “For patients who have a specific need or ongoing care, perhaps have long-term conditions, then trying to offer continuity of care will be beneficial because we understand the patient, their needs and the patient doesn’t have to repeat their story several times which can be frustrating for them.”

From October, the reforms will require GP surgeries to allow patients to request appointments online in a bid to free-up phone lines for urgent enquires and help end the 8am rush to book appointments over the phone.

The Department for Health and Social Care "rebuilding the broken NHS" begins with GPs and this is just the “first step to fixing the front door to the NHS”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Over the past decade, funding for GPs has been cut relative to the rest of the NHS, while the number of targets for GPs has soared. That's why patients are struggling to get an appointment.”

Dr Watson agreed: “General practice funding has fallen quite far behind in recent years, especially compared to the investment given to other parts of the health system.

“Our population is growing older all the time, so we have increased frailty and of course that increases need.

“What general practice can support people with, that's a much more effective, long-term intervention and I think it's the most cost effective way to deliver healthcare as well.

“However, a big chunk of the additional funding will go toward paying staff because we haven’t been protected from national insurance hikes and living wage requirements so not all of it will go towards improving the service.”

The deal is the first time in four years the Government and GP representatives have agreed reforms to GP contracts and marked a "reset of relations" after recent strikes, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

There is now hope that the deal will be seen as positive for practices, GP teams and patients when introduced in April.

A spokesperson for NHS England added: “The Department of Health and Social Care have listened and delivered on the priorities that matter most to patients and general practice teams, including a significant increase in funding and a scheme to recruit more staff including GPs."

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