The GP element of Fit for my Future
Somerset’s new health and care strategy ‘Fit For My Future’ has a clear structure, starting with population need, then looking at pathways of care, and only finally considering settings of care. This is to make sure we focus on patients not organisations, meeting needs not service requirements.
However, because GP services are so important, and because decisions are needed now on transformation and workforce, it was agreed that an in-depth look at GP services would be undertaken as early as possible.
This is the report of that work. In summary it found that:
- The people of Somerset need and value local, high quality GP services
- There has been a significant loss of GP workforce in Somerset- we now have far fewer GPs than we did in 2013
- In general, GP services are still providing a good service, but
- The service is under extreme pressure
- There are wide variations in waiting times, continuity of care and other indicators of clinical quality
- Several important aspects are in decline, in particular continuity of care
- Many practices are innovating new approaches, but the spread of innovation is uneven
- General practice in Somerset is not currently able to play the role of foundation in a modern integrated care system
- The Somerset system will not be able to meet the needs of the population without resilient, flourishing GP services
- Urgent action is now required to deliver national and local priorities.
This report contains wide ranging recommendations for action. Final Report of GP workstream of fit for my Future
Appendix A-GP forward View Commitments
Appendix B- CCG GP Patient Survey Results
Appendix C-Nigel Edwards Developing New Primary Care Contracting
Appendix D - NHS Benchmarking Report
Appendix E- Somerset primary Care needs assessment
Appendix F-Carers Champion Role-Recommendations from Carers Voice Somerset
Appendix G- South Somerset Enhances Primary Care Blue Print
Final Overview Slides GP Element of Fit for my Future
