Launch of GP Choice Consultation

[weezypops]

NHS South East Essex is urging local residents to comment on plans to give people access to a GP practice of their choice
At present, GPs only accept patients living within fixed geographic areas – but the Department of Health suggests this can be restrictive, particularly for people living in poorer areas.

Giving patients more choice could allow people to pick a practice nearer to their work, find one with longer opening hours, or keep the same GP if they move house.

The consultation also covers the issues involved in arranging home visits and community-based services, safeguarding access for local residents and providing access to hospital and specialist treatment.

Ian Stidston, Interim Director of Primary and Community Care said: “We have already improved access to GP services in south east Essex and most people are satisfied or very satisfied with their GP. Nevertheless, I still encourage everyone to take part in this consultation to help shape the future of how NHS services operate.”



To take part in the consultation visit: www.gpchoice.dh.gov.uk

[nubs]

strange I thought this was already in practise and has been for the last year or 2? residential PCT

[Schmushe]

strange I thought this was already in practise and has been for the last year or 2? residential PCT

This is in place already isnt it?

[nubs]

sorry forgot to remove the residential pct bit - the GP of your choice is what I meant being in place already lol

[Jenn]

I think what is in place (where I live anyway) is you can choose where you want an operation carried out or a referral. But you are supposed to be registered at your nearest doctors surgery. (but you are able to go to the walk in clinic at St Lukes if you want instead). The whole point of being at your local surgery is they will do home visits.

Maybe Gina can clarify more? She is probably the most qualified in this knowledge!

[nubs]

I think what is in place (where I live anyway) is you can choose where you want an operation carried out or a referral. But you are supposed to be registered at your nearest doctors surgery. (but you are able to go to the walk in clinic at St Lukes if you want instead). The whole point of being at your local surgery is they will do home visits.

Maybe Gina can clarify more? She is probably the most qualified in this knowledge!

Jenn you are talking about choose and book which is different, you can choose any hospital to have procedures done - so you can go to one with a lower waiting list, better specialist care etc

You can choose which GP you are registered with - its your choice, I was more questioning why this has suddenly been brought up by the PCT - or maybe I have been doing my job wrong for the last 2 years!

[Jenn]

We can't at our surgery! If you move out the area - they tell you that you can no longer be seen by them! I was in there last week and the receptionist was telling someone that as I sat in the waiting room!

[nubs]

she is telling patients wrong then Jenn or doesn't know the new procedure. You can have an out of area GP but they will not necessary come to your house as an emergency doctor appointment.

My job involves billing for OAT's out of area treatment - non contract activity and this is done based on the PCT that your GP is based in.

I think the idea is better as you can have a GP next to your place of work, so if you work in London you do not need to take a day off work or go in late, leave early etc to attend an appointment - my mum lives in Eastwood but choose a doctor in Rochford at the same surgery I am at due to the way in which they run their appointment system and have clinics for certain conditions

[weezypops]

Maybe it currently depends on your GP and whether they allow it?

[rachel jane]

When i moved to Southchurch i was with a doctors in shoebury and i had to fill in a form and that was given to the doctor and he decided whether or not to keep me on the books which he did. I haven't heard about this choosing a doctor thing at my surgery so maybe it does depend on your surgery. Who you with Jenn? I'm with Pier Medical Centre!

[Jenn]

Who you with Jenn? I'm with Pier Medical Centre!

I don't even know where Pier Medical centre is? It sounds very nice tho! Like one of those practices you get on tv! I am just with the one opposite The White Horse? I don't know what it is called? Have been going there since I was 7!

[lauraannek]

we are still registered at our old doctors from when we were living with james mum purely for the fact that you can ALWAYS get an app the same day you ring and they will always tell you to bring your kids in asap if you ring