RCGP responds to PAC report on support for people living with frailty

The Royal College of GPs has responded to concerns raised by the Public Accounts Committee on frailty services. Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: "GPs understand how important proactive, preventive care is for people living with frailty, or at risk of frailty. When we identify these patients early, getting to know them well and offering interventions such as falls risk assessments can help them stay well, independent and out of hospital.

"The findings of this report are concerning but they shouldn't be taken as a lack of commitment from GPs and their teams to our elderly, frail patients. What this report lays bare is that concerns raised by the College and others - that prioritising online access to our services without equal focus on continuity and proactive care may have unintended consequences for other areas of care, and risks disadvantaging some of our most vulnerable patients – are well founded.

"Delivering the care our elderly, frail patients need takes time and benefits from continuity of care. While most GP practices will always try to offer their older patients the time they need, this is increasingly challenging against a backdrop of intense workload and workforce pressures while also responding to increasing demand and policy requirements to improve access.  

"Online access to GP care and services can be effective and convenient for many patients, and GP practices have worked incredibly hard to facilitate this option. But GP care must remain accessible to everyone not just those who are confident using digital services.

"The report rightly highlights the challenge facing general practice: improving access, delivering more proactive care for patients living with frailty and supporting the shift of services into the community, all while operating under intense workforce and workload pressures. If the NHS expects GPs and our teams to deliver on these ambitions, then general practice must be given the resources and workforce to do this safely and effectively."

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.