General practice

primary and integrated care

In April 2021, we set out the core idea that GPs must be responsible for care programmes in the developing out-of-hospital space. Those programmes should become the new core business of the NHS.

In April and June 2022, we defined specific changes to the GP contract and the praised the Fuller Stocktake, with its key idea of neighbourhood teams improving continuity of care for people with long-term conditions.

In Feb 2023, we gave more detail on the development of neighbourhood teams and defined them as the key focus of NHS investment.

In 2022, working with eConsult, AFHS showed that digital tools are essential to providing continuity of care, by transforming the productivity of general practice and making sense of the urgent care pathway.

Summary

How can primary care escape from a spiral of decline - a future of staff burn-out and further declines in patient confidence?

In 2022, Aiming for Health Success was commissioned by eConsult to produce an independent research paper on the impact of e-consultations at the practice and local health economy levels.

Aiming for Health Success pointed to a different future: in which expansion in the use of new technology can not only improve access, but also free up time for continuity of care. It can also open the way for immediate action on how integrated care can improve outcomes.

Greater use of e-consultations can be vital to improved patient experience and health outcomes, as well as clinician productivity and job satisfaction. It can also be a key resource for the second generation challenges of improving care for patients with long term conditions and achieving a single urgent care pathway as described in the Fuller Stocktake.

In the next five years primary care will have the key leadership role in the expanding range of services closer to home. There could be a new era of local NHS services and achievement.

General practice

primary and integrated care

Key analysis

Report: Developing e-consultations

Summary