Press release: Guidance Shows High Standards for Out-of-Hours Primary Care

14 Oct 2004

The NHS Confederation, which negotiated the new GMS contract, says today's guidance from the Department of Health on primary care out-of-hours cover should provide reassurance to patients.
Nigel Edwards, NHS Confederation director of policy, said "It is important the public are reassured that high quality and accessible out-of-hours services are available, and the transfer of responsibility from GP practices to local primary care trusts should improve the standard of care they receive."

"The vast majority of PCTs have a GP available when clinically needed, but first line response is provided by other clinicians. Many patients who require help out-of-hours can be treated appropriately by other health professionals, such as nurses, paramedics and other doctors. Under the new arrangements, PCTs are able to employ the skills of the whole clinical team, to provide a better out-of-hours service to patients, whether it is Saturday morning or Wednesday night."

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation negotiated the new GMS contract with the General Practitioners' Committee on behalf of the four departments of health.
2. The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

For more information, or to arrange an interview on the ISDN line (020 7959 7283), please contact Chris Atkinson on 020 7959 7240.

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