RCN: patients need access to out-of-hours GP service

Published: 26 July 2012

People need to know that they can access a full range of health services locally within their GP practice at a convenient time, the RCN has said.

The comments were made in response to the latest NHS Check by the Labour Party which includes figures on GP opening hours and accident and emergency waits. In 2011/12, half of primary care trusts in England reported a drop in the number of GP surgeries offering opening hours during evenings and weekends, the first ever drop since the extended hours service was introduced.

RCN Director of Nursing and Service Delivery Janet Davies said the new figures were concerning and patients need to know why appointments are being restricted in this way.

“The irony is that at a time when the NHS should be trying its hardest to keep people out of hospital, and helping them in the community, pressure is being piled on already over-stretched hospitals. Today’s findings add weight to our concerns that the NHS is returning to the days of treating patients in corridors or areas not designed for care,” she added.

The RCN’s own research shows that more than half of emergency department nurses say that in their settings, patients receive care on corridors or areas not designated for care each day. The RCN says this reflects the way that trusts in England are looking to attain their £20 billion savings target and is calling on the Government to take action to stop the cuts to frontline care.