Striking a balance
General practice has been the cornerstone of the NHS since its birth in 1948 and is central in providing patients with high-quality health care. UK general practice is internationally renowned as the foundation of the most cost-effective form of health care delivery in the developed world and is highly valued by patients.
Despite these considerable achievements, general practice is facing a number of challenges. Like the rest of the NHS, it is undergoing rapid change caused by an increasing demand for services, rising expectations, evolving practice structures and changes in government policy. The health service’s capacity is finite. Competing expectations and the current economic climate are likely to force the nation to make some difficult decisions over the coming years about its priorities for general practice.
The BMA's General Practitioners Committee is seeking the views of the public, the professions, patient groups and health charities on four key issues facing general practice and patients:
- the evolving practice team
- getting a suitable appointment
- care and treatment outside normal working hours and
- continuity and coordination of care in the modern NHS
The evolving practice team
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Getting an appointment
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Care and treatment outside normal working hours
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Continuity in general practice and coordinating care in the modern NHS
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This consultation discusses challenges in each of these areas before setting out some questions which we hope will provoke thought and debate. You are however very welcome to address other issues in your response. We look forward to hearing your responses to any or all of these questions, along with any other ideas you have for ensuring that general practice remains fit for the future. Your responses will help us to work with policy-makers at all levels to protect, develop and strengthen general practice in line with patient, public and GP priorities.