Named GP

Pollycat

Deleted_User said:

ALL patients should have a named GP

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/gp-practices/managing-your-practice-list/requirement-for-all-patients-to-have-a-named-gp

Then why doesn't she contact her surgery and ask for a named GP?
You've answered your own question.

[Deleted User]

theoretica said:

Deleted_User said:

My wife (who uses a different surgery to myself) does not have a named GP - Her surgery has only 2 full time GP's and a constantly changing stream of stand-ins / locum GPs for 5,500 patients - the surgery was in "special measures until recently

I thought that every NHS patient was entitled to a named GP ?

Are you sure she actually doesn't have one, rather than hasn't been told/the notification went astray?  But naming one won't stop the stream of locums etc.

She does not have a named GP - Neither, apparently does anyone else at that surgery - evidently - it is  "surgery policy" !!

Doesn't that break NHS rules ?

And before anyone says "move her to my GP" Thats not possible

For historic reasons - my GP is in a different county (5 miles away) and has 8 GPs

New patients must be from within the same county

Floss

Is your wife concerned about this? Perhaps she (or you) should raise the concerns with the CCG for the practice.

elsien

https://www.gponline.com/nhs-named-gp-scheme-not-boost-continuity-care/article/1660382

[Deleted User]

elsien said:

https://www.gponline.com/nhs-named-gp-scheme-not-boost-continuity-care/article/1660382

"GP practices across England were required to assign a specific, named GP responsible for the care of each patient aged over 75 on their list from 1 April 2014. From 1 April 2015, the scheme was expanded to all patients" 

Pollycat

I'm not sure what you are looking for by continuing this thread.
You've asked a question and answered it yourself via a link.

You need to get your wife to challenge her surgery's policy that they are 'breaking NHS rules'.

unforeseen

TBH I have a named GP and it is totally pointless. She now only works part time and does 2 days a week, neither of which is after 3PM.
I can never get an appointment with her as she is always fully booked up for weeks on end with her 'regulars'. I now just accept an appointment with whichever GP is available. 

The idea that a named GP is able to give a better level of care than a random one in the practice is a phallacy. Unless you see the same GP on a daily basis then due to the number of patients they have, they always have to read the notes first to get an idea of what's going on with you. I doubt if they can remember you and your problem for more than a day before it gets crowded out by other patients stuff. 

My practice isn't even large. It is a rural practice with 7000 patients. If it doesn't work in such a small practice then there is no hope in a town or city practice with 10s of thousands of patients. 

Undervalued

unforeseen said:

TBH I have a named GP and it is totally pointless. She now only works part time and does 2 days a week, neither of which is after 3PM.
I can never get an appointment with her as she is always fully booked up for weeks on end with her 'regulars'. I now just accept an appointment with whichever GP is available. 

The idea that a named GP is able to give a better level of care than a random one in the practice is a phallacy. Unless you see the same GP on a daily basis then due to the number of patients they have, they always have to read the notes first to get an idea of what's going on with you. I doubt if they can remember you and your problem for more than a day before it gets crowded out by other patients stuff. 

My practice isn't even large. It is a rural practice with 7000 patients. If it doesn't work in such a small practice then there is no hope in a town or city practice with 10s of thousands of patients. 

I think it just gives (some) patients a warm fuzzy feeling that "their" doctor cares for them. I suspect GPs do actually remember a bit more than you suggest, particularly when it is a long term regular patient with serious medical issues.

As you mention "your" GP has her regulars taking up most or all of her appointments. How many of them actually need to see her that often is another matter and one that nobody really wants to address. Some countries have found that is deterred to a reasonable extent by making a small charge, presumably with some provision for those that really can't afford it. That of course would be a real political hot potato!

kirtondm

It really is not going to make a practical difference.  If you have a named GP it is no easier to book in with them. The GP that saw you will take responsibility for that episode of care. 

I am not sure the CCG are going to be terribly interested , if enough people  complain the practice may send out letters to patients allocating them a named GP but it is not going to change the care.

I work as an optometist in a small town and I do have 'regulars' and I can remember some people with challenging history. I can not recognize every patient in the street by all means

Patients fall into two camps thoose who will only ever see me and will travel / wait and thoose who will see anyone.

It is useful for complex patients to see them yourself and saves a lot of time / false referrals etc

elsien

Deleted_User said:

elsien said:

https://www.gponline.com/nhs-named-gp-scheme-not-boost-continuity-care/article/1660382

"GP practices across England were required to assign a specific, named GP responsible for the care of each patient aged over 75 on their list from 1 April 2014. From 1 April 2015, the scheme was expanded to all patients" 

Did you miss the point of the rest of article?