Reform statement on the primary care access plan
Responding to NHS England's Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, Reform Senior Researcher, Sebastian Rees, said:
"Primary care must be at the heart of any vision for a high-quality, sustainable NHS. However, with access deteriorating and dissatisfaction at record levels, action is urgently needed to bolster the front-door of our system."
"Today's primary care plan from NHS England has much to welcome. Improving telephone and digital access, more effective triage, shifting care to pharmacies, and cutting GP admin will make a real difference to patients and provide relief in a pressurised system."
"However, given the potential reward, it is vital that pharmacies are properly funded to delivery this huge increase in activity, and while using GP receptionists to triage callers may be a good idea, it will likely take some convincing for patients."
Media contact: Sebastian Rees, Senior Researcher, sebastian.rees@reform.uk.