‘Encouraging to see the wheels in motion for the new neighbourhood health service, but we need to ensure GP involvement’, College Chair

RCGP responds to the announcement of the first steps of delivery for neighbourhood health services.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is encouraging to see the Government already setting the wheels in motion for the new neighbourhood health service, and we’ll be watching carefully to see how this roll-out takes shape. If done well, these have the potential to deliver a wider variety of care and services in the community - closer to home for patients, which is something we know they want.

“The decision to prioritise services for deprived areas is a welcome step. People in deprived communities – who often have more complex health needs and are most likely to benefit from health interventions - are less likely to receive them because their GPs’ time is spread even more thinly. College research has shown that GPs in deprived areas are responsible for almost 2,500 patients per head on average, whilst those practising in more affluent areas tend to have patient lists of around 2,100. It makes sense that deprived areas should be first in line for greater neighbourhood support.

“As part of this roll out, it’s important that the Government heeds the insight of GPs and professionals across primary care. We are on the frontline of delivering care and know our communities, our patients and their needs. We need to ensure GPs are fully involved when local areas are putting together submissions for this first stage, and we hope that GPs will be contacted very soon with more details about how they can get involved in the new neighbourhood services, as well as the resources that are going to be available to do this.

“The Government has ambitious plans for the NHS, but we need more detail on how what is being proposed will actually be delivered for patients, and how it will be funded. We also need action to ensure we have the workforce to deliver these plans. We are looking ahead to the revised NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, due for publication later this year, as it will be a crucial opportunity to provide clarity on how the extra GPs promised in the 10 Year Health Plan can be recruited and retained.”

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.