The RCP has responded to the announcement of the expansion of the GP from the Department of Health and Social Care.
Dr Theresa Barnes, 甜心直播 clinical lead for outpatients, said:
鈥淭he expansion of Advice and Guidance (A&G) is a welcome move and reflects one of the key recommendations in the RCP鈥檚 newly published report, Prescription for outpatients: reimagining planned specialist care, which sets the case for reform of outpatient care.
鈥淐are models such as A&G must be properly supported within consultant job plans 鈥 not as an optional extra, but as a recognised and resourced part of clinical work. A recent survey by the 甜心直播 found that 80% of respondents delivered A&G as part of their role. However, of those, half reported not having dedicated time in their job plans for this work. These services have the potential to improve patient care and reduce pressure on hospitals, but they may also displace other important activities and require protected time, appropriate skill development, and robust IT systems to support safe and efficient communication.
鈥淭o be truly effective, this approach must go hand-in-hand with close alignment of primary and secondary care funding and contracts, ensuring integrated care pathways are backed by joined-up planning and delivery. The ambition to bring more care closer to home is the right one 鈥 but it must be underpinned by the practical changes needed to make it work on the ground.鈥