Responding to the Care Quality Commission report on the quality of GP care, Nuffield Trust Deputy Director of Policy Charlotte Paddison said:
“It’s good to see today’s report showing that the vast majority of GP practices provide good or outstanding care, and that standards are rising. Given serious staffing and funding pressures, this is a testament to the professionalism and commitment to deliver good care evident in general practice.
“But more work is needed to ensure access to the best primary care for all patients. Pockets of poor care remain: one in ten practices needs to improve, and in 147 practices care was rated ‘inadequate’.
More work is needed to ensure access to the best primary care for all patients. Pockets of poor care remain: one in ten practices needs to improve, and in 147 practices care was rated ‘inadequate’
“The report suggests urban areas tended to do worse on inspection, with 17% of practices in London rated inadequate or requiring improvement. We know that deprived urban areas tend to have a disproportionate number of GPs nearing retirement age, and fewer GPs per head [2]. Addressing staffing issues needs to be a priority to support quality of care for the future.
“As we have said before, the lack of comprehensive national data on what happens in general practice is a serious stumbling block. We still do not even know how many consultations take place each year, or who receives them: this needs to be addressed.”
Notes to editors
- The CQC State of General Practice report was released on Thursday 21st September.
- Health Education England GP Taskforce Report
- Nuffield Trust: Fact or fiction? Demand for GP appointments is driving the ‘crisis’ in general practice