DAUK’s Dr Steve Taylor says changes in the new GP contract could go against Jess’s Rule.
Jess’s Rule is a safety initiative urging GPs to ‘think again’ if they see a patient three times with the same symptoms.
It was welcomed by DAUK when it was introduced last year.
Jess’s Rule
Speaking to Doctors.Net, Dr Taylor, DAUK’s GP co-lead, said the requirement in the new contract to expand the use of advice and guidance (A&G) could be at odds with the requirements of Jess’s Rule.
He said: “A&G changes will reduce patient choice and the ability of GPs to refer patients.
“GPs are generalist experts in patient care and when they refer it is always for good reasons.”
New GP contract
He added: “The new GP contract has a number of big issues which will affect patient care adversely and reduce the ability of practices to provide high quality care.”
Read the article in full on Doctors.Net.
Meanwhile, Dr Taylor has also commented in the medical media on new online access figures.
Pulse has reported on NHS England data showing GP practices received 9.2 million online requests in January, up from 7.8 million in December.
GP appointments
Dr Taylor said the increase in online requests did not mean there had been an increase in the available number of GP appointments.
He said: “Online forms are work for GPs and their teams, so the data means 2 million more bits of work without the resources to provide them.
“GPs want better access to care for patients but they recognise it’s not online forms that patients want, it’s GP appointments, and without the resources reality will not be met with the expectations raised by this Government.”
Read the article in full on the Pulse website.
DAUK is run by volunteer doctors, who campaign on issues facing frontline doctors in their own time. Please support our work by joining DAUK or donating to our GoFundMe.