New Enhanced Access (EA) arrangements go live from 1st October 2022 – this is intended to remove variability across the country by putting in place a more standardised and better understood offer for patients.
Extended access of course is not new, and a lot of practices have had this available in some form since 2016 and even more so during the pandemic. But this is different – its enhanced access – the requirements for enhanced access and the funding for it is distinctly different.
This does not mean that all GP practices will need to be open in the evenings and on weekends, as the new EA service is required at a primary care network or PCN level and in a way that best reflects the needs of the local area it serves. PCNs will be required to provide enhanced access appointments between the hours of 6.30pm to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays.
There is no centrally driven prescription on how this enhanced access needs to be delivered – it can and is likely to be a mix of in-person and remote appointments, whether by telephone or video. The exact mix will be determined by each PCN based on its local needs, its resourcing levels and following patient engagement.
The number of emergency appointments, same day or pre-booked appointments and the types of services available at different times will all be determined in a similar way.
This will all be in an EA plan that was required to be in place by 31st July.
At Pairoo, we understand this is a anxious time for many involved in primary care. Whilst there is no doubt that everyone working in primary care wants to ensure patients have convenient access that works for them, it is also true that this needs to be delivered in a realistic way that matches availability of staff with the right skills with the demands of patients.
At Pairoo, we understand that you cannot sacrifice quality for quantity. We will work with you to match your rotas with clinicians quickly and easily. As an NHS approved supplier, we take care of all the onboarding and compliance for you and allow you to get on with what you do best.
Call us on +44 20 8956 2111
or email us info@www.pairoo.com to get started or for more information.