Scrap 10 minute consultation standard, say GPs

The BMA surveyed 15,560 grassroots GPs, and also discovered that two thirds of GPs questioned would prioritise better quality consultation over quicker access to general practice. Both Conservative and Labour have stated that faster access to GP health care as a prime concern in their pledges.

One in four interviewed said that more than 10 minutes should be made available to all patients, while 67 per cent said that consultations should be longer for those with long term conditions. Moreover, the survey showed that 80 per cent of GPs placed continuity of care as more important, 61 per cent prioritised trust and confidentiality between GP and patient as more pressing and 51 per cent argued that holistic care was more necessary.

Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA General Practice Committee, said placing quicker access to care over longer consolations was 'unsubstantiated' as quality would be decreased to optimise quantity.

Nagpaul said: "This landmark poll highlights that GPs ability to care to patients is being seriously undermined by escalating workload, inadequate resourcing and unnecessary paperwork. Many GPs do not feel they have enough time to spend with their patients and that these intense pressures are beginning to damage local services."

He added: "GPs also feel it is more important to provide longer consultations even if it means patients waiting longer to see a GP. And this comes at a time when politicians from all sides are making hollow and unsubstantiated pledges about dramatically increasing the number of GPs within five years, offering guaranteed appointments within 48 hours or funding Sunday opening when research shows those practices open in this period saw few patients booking an appointment."

Read more