This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Health secretary to set out plan for patients
New health and social care secretary and deputy prime minister Thérèse Coffey is set to roll out Our Plan for Patients with the intention for patients to receive easier access to NHS and social care.
The new plan aims to improve access to GP appointments with the target for everyone who needs a GP appointment to be able to get one within two weeks, and those with urgent needs should be able to get one the same day.
The plans also includes changes to funding rules to recruit extra support staff so GPs have more time to treat patients. It is expected this will free up more than one million appointments a year.
New telephone systems will also be available, so it is easier for patients to get through to the surgery.
In an attempt to free up doctors' appointments, pharmacies will be able to manage and supply more medicines without a GP prescription.
The plan will also push for more volunteering across the NHS and social care.
Coffey is expected to say: "I will put a laser-like focus on the needs of patients, making their priorities my priorities and being a champion for them on the issues that affect them most.
"Our Plan for Patients will make it easier to get a general practice appointment and we will work tirelessly to deliver that, alongside supporting our hardworking GP teams.
"We know this winter will be tough and this is just the first step in our work to bolster our valued NHS and social care services so people can get the care they need."
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: "I know how much patients value timely, convenient access to GPs and primary care, the front door to the NHS, which is why we are continuing to drive improvements, including new roles to better meet patients’ needs and new tech to make contacting your local surgery easier.
"NHS staff are working incredibly hard to deliver record numbers of GP appointments for patients, with 11 million more this year so far than the same period last year, and more than four in five people who need an appointment seen within two weeks, including more than two fifths within one day.
"We will work with the government so we can support NHS staff to deliver these new ambitions for patients, underpinned by the development of a long term workforce plan."
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