Named GP for all Patients

From 1 April 2015

The 2015-2016 GP contract in England now requires the named accountable GP 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 judgement) to each of their patients.

The role of the named GP will not:

• take on vicarious responsibility for the work of other doctors or health professionals;
• take on 24-hour responsibility for the patient, or have to change their working hours:
• imply personal availability for GPs throughout the working week;
• be the only GP or clinician who will provide care to that patient.

The contract remains 'practice based', so overall responsibility for patient care has not changed.

The named GP is largely a role of oversight, with the requirements being introduced to reassure patients they have one GP within the practice who is responsible for ensuring that this work is carried out on their behalf.  

There is no condition within the requirement for patients to see the named GP when they book an appointment with the practice.

Patients are entitled to choose to see any GP or nurse in the practice in line with current arrangements.

 When to inform patients of the change

From 1 April 2015, practices are contractually required to allocate a named, accountable GP to all patients (including children).

All patients who were on the practice list prior to 1 April 2015 will need to be allocated their named accountable GP by 30 June 2015.

All new patients who register with a practice after 1 April 2015 should be allocated their named accountable GP within 21 days of registration.

This excludes patients aged 75 and over already allocated a named accountable GP under existing provisions.

Patient will be informed of thier named accountable GP on contact with the Practice. This information can also be requested by patients at any time.  

Named GP for patients aged 75 and over

From April 2014, all patients aged 75 and over will have a named GP who will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides to them.

If you are one of our patients in this age group you will be given a named GP who will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides to you. The GP  will also  work with other relevant health and care professionals who are involved in your care to ensure that your care package meets your individual needs.  This does not prevent you from seeing any GP in the practice as you currently do.

Each patient in this age group will be notified of their named GP upon your 75th Birthday.  If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further please contact the surgery.

If you are 75 and over you are entitled to an annual health check which will be performed by one of our Nursing Team.  Please contact Reception to book, ask for a 75 and Over Health Check.  If you are unable to come to the practice a home visit may be arranged.