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14/10/2004
New charter guarantees patients out-of-hours GP care
Patients will continue to be guaranteed access to home visits from GPs if they need one when new changes to out-of-hours services are brought in at the end of the year.
New national quality requirements published today by Health Minister John Hutton set out the national minimum levels of service for GP out-of-hours care.
The new quality requirements include assurances that patients will be treated by the clinician best equipped to meet their needs, in the most appropriate location. And, if there is a clinical need, patients will be guaranteed a GP consultation, including a home visit.
Mr Hutton said: "Patients are entitled to expect the NHS to provide high quality, accessible and comprehensive primary care services during the evenings and at weekends.
"I am determined that this will continue to be the case once the responsibility for organising out-of-hours services transfers from GPs to PCTs this year.
"GPs will continue to play a leading role in helping to deliver out-of-hours services and working alongside nurses and other practitioners will help ensure patients get the right service at the right time from the right person."
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee said: "We support the fact that patients are entitled to high quality services out-of-hours and believe that these new quality requirements will help to guarantee that. We do believe that where patients need to see a GP out of hours, a GP should be available."
The new national quality requirements will come into force from January 1 2005 and will replace the current national quality standards that have been in operation since November 2002.
(gmcg/mb)
New national quality requirements published today by Health Minister John Hutton set out the national minimum levels of service for GP out-of-hours care.
The new quality requirements include assurances that patients will be treated by the clinician best equipped to meet their needs, in the most appropriate location. And, if there is a clinical need, patients will be guaranteed a GP consultation, including a home visit.
Mr Hutton said: "Patients are entitled to expect the NHS to provide high quality, accessible and comprehensive primary care services during the evenings and at weekends.
"I am determined that this will continue to be the case once the responsibility for organising out-of-hours services transfers from GPs to PCTs this year.
"GPs will continue to play a leading role in helping to deliver out-of-hours services and working alongside nurses and other practitioners will help ensure patients get the right service at the right time from the right person."
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee said: "We support the fact that patients are entitled to high quality services out-of-hours and believe that these new quality requirements will help to guarantee that. We do believe that where patients need to see a GP out of hours, a GP should be available."
The new national quality requirements will come into force from January 1 2005 and will replace the current national quality standards that have been in operation since November 2002.
(gmcg/mb)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
