24/7GP is a low cost service for medical advice over the phone available 24 hours a day. It's a solution to new changes happening to NHS doctor/patient relationships with a huge market (no age barrier) and a potential as company benefit, a low cost alternative to PMI. Some of the benefits of 24/7GP are :
- Low cost medical advice over the phone available 24 hours a day
- Solution to new changes happening to NHS doctor/patient relationship
- Huge market with no age barrier
- Potential as company benefit with a low cost alternative to PMI
24/7GP are known to be :
- One of the largest providers of private primary care services
- Substantial links with over 180 GPs
- Based in modern communications centre which operates 24 hours/365 days
- Dedicated operators who are specifically trained
- Company been operating since 1998
- Cover circa 500,000 people (to date)
NHS Primary Care Changes and how the Doctor/Patient relationship is changing :
There have been major contractual changes in delivery of NHS primary care services since April 2004 with a significant shortage of GPs. 30% of GPs are due to retire over next few years or working part-time with this percentage over the age of 55. There is a significant GP dissatisfaction with the NHS and there is also a serious shortage of other primary care providers such as nurses and paramedics. NHS GP contract has changed from old GMS to new GMS and PMS in April 2004. The new GMS/PMS contracts will reduce GP contracted hours from 7 days a week, 24 hours a day legal commitment to 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. New weekday contract will be with the surgery and not with the patient’s GP, the new contracts are funded locally by the PCT and not the Department of Health both PMS and GMS surgeries are contracted to provide 24 hour access to a primary care professional and 48 hour access to a GP. Patient will have contract with surgery and no longer with a GP. PCT responsible for out of hours primary care provision, such as nurses, A&E, pharmacists and GPs. There is a 24 hour appointment commitment with a primary care professional. Such as a delegation to nurses, A&E or pharmacist. A48 hour doctor appointment commitment can not be found in many areas these changes are already creating significant patient dissatisfaction
New GMS contract separates the NHS GP responsibilities as follows :
- Essential services – sick patients
- Additional services – vaccination, contraception, child health, chronic disease management, cervical services
- Enhanced services – specialist surgery (GPwSI) drug abuse management
- Surgeries must choose to opt into these services
24/7GP's solutions are :
- Voice recording for all calls and consultations
- Call scheduling ensures convenient and adequate consultation times
- Dedicated software enables full management reporting
- Consultations audited by medical director
- Regular GP briefing and training sessions
24/7GP would then be used :
- With the diagnosis of symptoms and advice on treatment
- When a child is unwell, in assessing the seriousness of the illness
- To assess the severity of the medical problem, in order to advise you how to best seek treatment
- To gain a further explanation of the condition, treatment you may require or simply a second opinion
- To discuss sensitive or confidential matters
- To discuss travel advice
- To give advice about medication
The benefits to patients include :
- Fast and convenient access
- Diagnosis and reassurance regarding any health concerns
- No limit to the number of consultations
- Consultations can be as long or as frequent as appropriate
- Doctor’s diagnosis and advice takes account of caller’s personal medical history
- Excellent user satisfaction
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