Today I was pleased to see the Government’s plans to improve access to GPs this winter.
The Government’s new blueprint lays out a range of measures that will give GPs the resources they need to deliver more face-to-face appointments and improve services in practices.
• Patients should be able to see their GP in the way they want, no matter where they live, and GPs should not face barriers to doing their vital work.
• That is why we have set out a new plan, including a £250 million winter access fund, to increase the number of face-to-face appointments and help tackle underperformance, as well as setting out more measures to tackle abuse at GP surgeries to make sure staff can work without fear for their safety.
• The Blueprint improves transparency of practices by publishing GP appointment.
Action to help practices share reception and phone services, so that you don’t have to be on the phone for so long to get an appointment.
A renewed focus on better using community pharmacists to deal with appropriate issues.
You will be able to give feedback to your practice via text.
This is part of the Government’s major drive to support GPs and ensure that everyone can see their GP the way they want.
Over the last year our GPs have done a fantastic job caring for us in the most difficult of circumstances. They have delivered over 300 million appointments, overseen the vast majority of Covid vaccinations, saving lives and getting us back towards normal life. I welcome this announcement and look forward to working with Bolsover’s NHS officials to care for our community this winter.
