DAUK’s GP committee says general practice ‘remains an afterthought’ after Government plans were unveiled to reform urgent and emergency care.
The Government said it was investing nearly £450m to expand urgent and emergency care facilities.
The Department of Health said it will see 800,000 fewer patients each year waiting more than four hours in A&E.
More will receive urgent care in their communities, it said.
It is part of Government plans to move more health services from hospital to community settings.
Dr Steve Taylor, GP spokesperson for the Doctors’ Association UK, welcomed the introduction of more urgent care provision.
But he said that general practice was being overlooked in the drive to move more care into communities.
Speaking to Pulse, Dr Taylor said: ‘An urgent treatment centre appointment costs £85 on average to provide.
“Community care in the form of general practice remains an afterthought, yet provide similar appointments, if funded, at a third to half the cost to the NHS.
“Actual numbers attending A&E have increased 200,000 per month over the past five years whilst GP services have increased 5 million.
“There is more need for a better joined up approach to patient care between hospitals and the community, and this will see a better use of resources.”
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