New research published today (Wednesday 8 December 2004) by DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships shows that high quality care and good access to health professionals are key concerns for both patients and GPs.
In Scotland, more than eight out of ten (84%) patients would be happy to see a health professional other than a GP if it meant getting faster service outside of normal surgery hours. Most GPs (73%) agree that using a mix of skills including GPs, nurses, paramedics and others can offer patients a high quality service when the surgery is closed and the majority (59%) would be happy to see other health professionals taking more responsibility for NHS out of hours patient care.
Under the new GP contract, responsibility for the provision of out of hours patient care will have transferred from most GP practices to NHS Boards throughout Scotland by 1 January 2005. These changes are expected to continue to provide patients with a high quality service whilst relieving pressure on GPs, a move which around three-quarters (74%) of patients feel is important and 71% of GPs believe will attract more doctors into the profession.
DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships is today launching the "Step by step: getting help from health services" campaign to help people know what services to choose when they are ill (especially in urgent or emergency situations) and highlighting the changes in NHS out of hours services.
Commenting on the campaign Dr David Wrigley, DPP spokesman said: "This research shows that patients recognise the need for a change to the way services are delivered. The finding that 83% of Scots are happy for pharmacists to be more involved in advising them about health issues, suggests patients are becoming less reliant solely on the GP.