All patients, including children will be allocated a named accountable GP.
What does 'accountable' mean?
Requires the named accountable GP to take responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services required and ensure they are delivered to each of their patients where required (based on the clinical judgement of the named accountable GP).
The contract remains 'practice based', so overall responsibility for patient care has not changed. This is largely a role of oversight, with the requirements being introduced to reassure patients that they have one GP within the practice who is responsible for ensuring that this work is carried out on their behalf.
All newly registering patients will be allocated a named accountable GP on registration.
What are the named GP's responsibilities to 75s and over
This is unchanged from 2014-2015; for patients aged 75 and over the named accountable GP is responsible for working with relevant associated health and social care professionals to deliver a multi-disciplinary care package that meets the needs of the patient ensuring that these patients have access to a health check as set out in section 7.9 of the GMS Contract Regulations.
Does the requirement mean 24-hour responsibility for patients?
No. The named GP will not take on vicarious responsibility for the work of other doctors or health professionals take on 24-hour responsibility for the patient, or have to change their working hours. The requirement does not imply personal availability for GPs throughout the working week be the only GP or clinician who will provide care to that patient
Can patients choose their own named GP?
In the first instance, patients should simply be allocated a named GP. However, if a patient requests a particular GP, reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate their preference, recognising that there are occasions when the practice may not feel the patient's preference is suitable.
Do patients have to see the named GP when they book an appointment with the practice?
No. Patients can and should feel free to choose to see any GP or nurse in the practice in line with current arrangements. However, some practices may see this change as a way to encourage and promote a greater degree of continuity of care for patients.