Government’s "Plan for Patients"

Health Secretary’s new plan for patients will make a real impact for people living in Basingstoke.

During the Statement to the House of Commons, Maria said, ‘Can I deeply thank my Right Honourable Friend [the Health Secretary] for such an excellent statement today. These are the issues that are concerning my constituents, particularly around primary care. I very much welcome her approach of not providing a prescriptive solution to some of these problems.’

In light of issues brought to her by Basingstoke constituents, Maria asked the Secretary of State, ‘In making sure that there is more access to data on waiting times, particularly for primary care appointments, would she also look more carefully at whether patients are allowed to move surgeries if they find they are not able to access appointments on timely basis?’ Without this ability, the data alone wouldn’t mean patients could act.

The Health Secretary confirmed the Minister for Primary Care would look into the issue.

Coupled with increased appointment numbers, better phonelines, streamlining routes from overseas dentists to practice in the UK, and certain medications being available from pharmacists without GP prescription, Basingstoke residents should find it easier to get to doctors and dentists in the area."

The Government is also taking the following action under the Plan

1. Changing funding rules to recruit extra support staff, freeing up over one million appointments per year. By changing the funding rules, GP practices will be able to recruit additional support staff, such as GP assistants and advanced nurse practitioners – allowing GPs to focus on treating patients and freeing up over one million appointments per year.

2. Publishing appointment data at practice level – helping patients to better understand the care they will receive.

3. Helping pharmacies to manage and supply more medicines, freeing up to two million GP appointments per year. By allowing pharmacies to manage and supply medicines, such as contraceptives, without a GP prescription, the plan will help to free up to two million GP appointments each year.

4. Allowing pharmacies to take referrals for minor illnesses from emergency care, helping to reduce NHS wait times for patients. By allowing pharmacies to take referrals from emergency care for illnesses such as coughs, headaches, and sore throats, the plan will free up valuable time and resources in emergency care departments, helping to reduce wait times.

5. Accelerating the roll-out of new cloud-based telephone systems, making it easier for patients to get through to their local GP practice.

6. Reducing ambulance delays, by increasing numbers of 111 and 999 call handlers, reducing the time lost to ambulance handover delays so that ambulances can get back on the road swiftly, and facilitating ambulance trusts to support each other during the busiest periods.

7. A £500 million fund will support discharge from hospital into the community and bolster the social care workforce, to free up beds for patients who need them