The 2015-2016 GP contract in England extends the requirement to provide a named accountable GP to all patients, rather than just the over 75. The contract remains "practice-based", so overall responsibility for patient care has not changed. The role of the named GP is to take responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services and ensure they are delivered where required (based on the named GP's clinical judegment) to each of their patients.
Having a named GP means he or she will:
- take the lead for ensuring that we offer you all the appropriate services we can
- work with relevant associated health and social care professionals where necessary for your care
- help to ensure that we recognise and respond to your physical and psychological needs
- ensure you have access to a health check if you request one
Having a named GP does not mean:
- he or she will be available 24 hours a day
- that you will have personal access to the doctor throughout the working week
- that this is the only doctor or clinician at the practice who will provide you with care
You do not have to see your named GP when you book an appointment; you can and should feel free to choose to see any GP or nurse in line with current arrangements.
We will be informing patients of their named GP on ad-hoc basis on contact with the practice. However, if you wish to have this information sooner please ask a member of staff when you are next at the surgery.