Nuffield Trust responds to seven day GP access announcement

Nuffield Trust's Chief Executive Nigel Edwards responds to David Cameron's announcement on the expansion of the Prime Minister's Challenge Fund for GP access.

Press release

Published: 30/09/2014

Responding to David Cameron’s announcement on expansion of the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund for GP access, Nigel Edwards, Chief Executive at the Nuffield Trust said:

“Today’s announcement rightly recognises that local leadership is the best way to improve out of hours care and make use of new technology for access to clinicians.

“But there is a danger that easier access to GPs will actually lead to greater pressures on the system, leaving fewer resources for the most vulnerable groups like frail older people. Although the Government hopes this initiative will reduce emergency admissions, evidence suggests longer hours may result in people with minor problems, who might not have gone to the NHS at all, using the service. 

But there is a danger that easier access to GPs will actually lead to greater pressures on the system, leaving fewer resources for the most vulnerable groups like frail older people.

Evidence that more care outside hospital can reduce pressure on hospital admissions is very thin. It is a shame, therefore, that the Government hasn’t waited for evaluation of the first pilots from this initiative before rolling it out nationwide.

“Another concern is the top-down requirement that GPs, not other parts of the NHS like pharmacists or walk in centres, need to provide these longer hours. The UK has already failed to fill GP training places, and missed GP training targets.”

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