Right care, first time

Practice managers are launching a major campaign to tackle public frustration at the delays in gaining GP appointments.

The “Right Care First Time” campaign, launched by the Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM), aims to encourage patients to recognise that they may get the right care by going directly to other members of practice staff, such as pharmacists and physiotherapists. It follows the national drive to diversify primary care teams, introducing a range of professions to support GPs.

The IGPM has stated: “You don’t always need to see a GP.”

Boost for MMR catch-up campaign

Parents have responded overwhelmingly to the campaign to revive MMR vaccination and halt the spread of measles, flocking to practices to protect their children.

The total number of MMR vaccinations in the first three months of this year increased by 23%, NHS England reported.

Since January, more than 75,000 over-5s have come forward for vaccination – compared with 18,000 in the same age range a year earlier. These families received emails, letters and texts inviting them to seek vaccination.

Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said: “It is excellent news that since the NHS launched our MMR catch-up campaign, thousands more people than last year have come forward to get vaccinated, with a four-fold increase in the number of five- to 25-year-olds getting that all-important protection.”

Missed appointments

Through displaying a daily dashboard, a practice has taken steps to raise patient awareness of the impact of not keeping appointments.

The Jubilee Park Medical Centre, Nottingham says that appointment slots are “wasted” if patients don’t show up. Its noticeboard now highlights how many appointments are missed in a day and during the previous week.

It’s been backed by the BMA which stated that practices in Nottinghamshire reported 15,000 missed appointments in January and February, at a cost of about £630,000. The local ICB reports 25,000 missed appointments in February alone.

South-east Trust adds practices in poverty drive

Four practices in Essex have joined a growing primary care group that’s providing services across north-east London and throughout Bedfordshire.

The practices in Dagenham, Rainham, Barking and Upminster became part of the East London NHS Foundation Trust on 1st April. The Trust says it’s providing primary care for 80,000 people. Its services range from East London to Leighton Buzzard.

It describes itself as the first “Marmot Trust” with a specific commitment to tackle poverty and unemployment, following the idea of Professor Sir Michael Marmot.

Trust Interim Chief Executive Lorraine Sunduza commented: “We are in a privileged position with the support of our communities to make a positive difference in people’s quality of life.”

Leaking roofs and mouldy walls

Leaking roofs and mouldy walls are the untold story of the crisis in general practice.

According to Dr Margaret Ikpoh, who has given a frank assessment of the state of her practice buildings in Yorkshire, her practice spends £90,000 a year on maintenance and is facing a £40,000 increase in energy costs in one year because of the low energy efficiency of its old buildings. There are frequent leaks, damp walls and signs of mould.

Dr Ikpoh, a vice-chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Our consultation rooms are also a concern. Many are small and cramped which makes it challenging to treat patients. It also means we can only see a certain number of patients each day. It’s deeply frustrating and worrisome.”