GP teams delivered almost 30 million appointments for patients
last month (March 2024), up almost a quarter on the same period
before the pandemic, new data shows
today.
New NHS data published today shows there were around 29.8 million
appointments delivered by GPs and their teams in just one month,
compared with 24.2 million in March 2019 – an increase of 5.6
million (23.1%).
And on average, thanks to the primary care recovery plan, the NHS
is now offering more than 1.4 million GP appointments every
working day.
NHS staff continue to exceed ambitions to provide 50
million more appointments by March 2024 with the figures
showing that GPs and their teams have delivered an
extra 56.3 million appointments (363.6 million excluding
Covid vaccinations) or 63.4 million (370.7 million including
Covid vaccinations) over the last year compared to 2018/19.
More than nine in ten (95%) of GP practices in England have now
upgraded their phone tech thanks to the ambitious blueprint with
the move meaning that phone lines can be expanded and won't ever
be engaged. The remaining practices are agreeing dates within the
next month for upgrades to happen with tech suppliers.
Every GP practice must offer face to face appointments as well as
telephone and online consultations, with some patients choosing
remote appointments where it is clinically appropriate and more
convenient for them. Today's data shows almost two-thirds of
appointments took place face-to-face (65.4%) in March.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care, NHS
England said: “Thanks to GPs and their hardworking
teams, millions more appointments are being delivered every month
compared to before the pandemic with plans in place to improve
access even further.
“Every GP practice is upgrading their telephone systems to make
it easier for patients to contact their surgery, while patients
can use the NHS app to order repeat prescriptions and view their
test results without needing to contact their family doctor.
“We know there is more to do to make it easier for patients to
access GP services, which is why, building on the successes so
far of the primary care access recovery plan we will continue to
modernise general practice, expand pharmacy services, and offer
patients more choice in how they access care.”
Primary Care Minister said:
“Today's figures clearly demonstrate
that more people are getting the care they need, when they need
it, thanks to the hard work of our GPs and their
teams.
“GPs and their staff have already
delivered on a number of pledges – including exceeding the target
of 50 million additional general practice appointments per year,
several months ahead of schedule – and through the measures in
the Primary Care Recovery Plan, the NHS and primary care staff
are freeing up millions of extra appointments per year and making
it easier for patients to access the care they
need.
“We remain committed to making our
healthcare system faster, simpler and fairer for all patients so
that everyone who needs an appointment is able to get
one.”
Hundreds of thousands more people a month will have the option to
refer themselves for key services such as help with incontinence,
podiatry, or hearing tests without needing to see a GP, as part
of the NHS primary care access recovery plan.
Around 180,000 more people a month will be able to self-refer for
additional services such as incontinence support or community
nursing without seeing their GP, so family doctors' time can be
freed up to focus on delivering care to people who need it
most.
Across NHS services, around 200,000 people a month already
self-refer themselves for treatment for podiatry, audiology, and
physiotherapy but local services will now be able to expand the
option of self-referral to other key services based on the needs
of their population.
