Enhanced Patient Access to GP Practices in Hounslow
In collaboration with ICS and Hounslow Primary Care team we identified questions and developed the survey for enhanced patient access.
We visited GP practice waiting areas over an 8-week period (August/September 2023) to talk to patients and complete surveys. Healthwatch volunteers played a vital role in this outreach work.
Nationally a new ‘enhanced access’ service has been introduced for General Practice (GP). It aims to provide patients with more flexibility, offering greater access to routine and same-day GP appointments during evenings and Saturdays, and eliminating variability experienced by patients at different practices. The approach also seeks to create a more adaptable blend of appointment modes, embracing digital solutions for convenient patient access. The goal is to enhance overall healthcare delivery through a more cohesive and accessible system.
What’s changing?
This improvement involves extending GP appointment hours until 8 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays, with both advance booking and same-day options that patients can remotely cancel. Various health professionals within the primary care team will be available during these extended hours, offering services through telephone, video, online consultation, or face-to-face appointments based on clinical needs.
Read more from the report to learn about the project.
