Patients' group calls for extended GP opening hours to reduce A&E waiting

A patients’ champion group based in Greater Manchester is calling on GPs to extend their opening hours to tackle overcrowding in A&E departments.

The Patients’ Council believes that unless there is a shift in the way GP services are delivered, the problems surrounding both the volume of people attending A&E and the delays in their treatment will get worse.

Paul Mainwaring, chairman of the Patients’ Council, said: “A&E departments should be focused on treating very ill patients and yet our own research shows that the number of people attending A&E with minor injuries that are treatable by a GP is rising. When asked why they are at A&E, patients say it is because they feel they have no other option as they are unable to get a GP appointment that fits in with their work and family responsibilities.”

The Patients’ Council believe GP surgeries need to change the way they operate and become more patient focused. They are calling for GP surgeries to open 7am to 8pm, seven days a week, offer early and late appointments reserved for those working during the day and for GP appointments to be available within 24 hours.

Mr Mainwaring continued: “To treat a patient with minor injuries at A&E costs the NHS £50, but for a GP to treat that same person is just half the cost at £25.

"The responsibility now lies with our Primary Care Trusts as the commissioners of GP services, to ensure there is adequate access to these services whatever the hour.

"It is vital that patients feel they have other options other than presenting at an already overburdened A&E department.”

The Patients’ Council is an independent group with a national membership of 12,000 and is made up of patients with long term medical conditions. It works closely with NHS trusts and other relevant organisations advising on a range of patient related issues.