Out of hours (OOH) primary care services

Source: Department of Health

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Year of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Letter

In a nutshell: A letter from David Colin-Thome, National Director for Primary Care, to primary care trusts in relation to the Care Quality Commission independent enquiry into provision of out-of-hours GP services. This letter reiterates that PCTs have a legal obligation to make sure out of hours services are delivered safely and to a high standard.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Enquiry indicates nationwide gap in monitoring out-of-hours GP services

Source: Care Quality Commission

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Press Release 

In a nutshell: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) enquiry into the out-of-hours care provided by Take Care Now, reports that it fears PCTs may not be effectively monitoring performance of GP out-of-hours services.  The enquiry was triggered by the tragic case of Mr David Gray, a patient treated by an out-of-hours locum doctor from Germany who died following the administration of 100mg of diamorphine.

Following visits to the five PCTs that commission services from Take Care Now, the CQC found that trusts do not consistently and routinely look in detail at the quality of care.  PCTs must look at details like the quality of clinical decisions, the efficiency of call handling, the adequacy of staffing and doctors’ training in order to rigorously monitor performance.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Primary Care Foundation urgent care conference report

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Year of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  Kaye McIntosh reports from the Primary Care Foundation seminar entitled “Urgent care: a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice”

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: The seminar was based on the Primary Care Foundation report of the same name – follow this link to view the report.  Presentations are also available from the seminar – follow this link to view presentations

Three-digit number for non-emergency healthcare services

Source: OFCOM

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: OFCOM on behalf of the Department of Health have issued a consultation on the implementation of a new three digit number for non-emergency healthcare services. The consultation opened on 09 July 2009 and closes on the 20 August 2009. OFCOM recommends choosing 111. The consultation document outlines four options and makes the case for choosing 111.

Length of publication: 1 page with link to 62 page .pdf consultation document

Some important notes: Additional information can be found from the Department of Health press release New Phone Number to Make Urgent Care Easier to Access and Three-digit number (3DN) to access non-emergency health care webpage.

Urgent care: a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Date of publication: May 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This report describes the work of GPs across five very different PCTs, outlining key lessons for improving urgent care.  The report and recommendations are designed to suppport all organisations delivering general practice services including GMS, PMS, PCTMS, APMS and the new GP led health centres.  This report is sponsored by the Department of Health, and supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association.

Length of publication: 36 pages

Some important notes: An event is being held at the King’s Fund on 25 June 2009 to highlight the key findings and recommendations of this report.  Follow this link for full details.

Patient and Public Involvement in OOH’s and Urgent Care Conference

Source: Urgent Healthcare Solutions

For fulltext link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Conference

In a nutshell: Over the last decade there have been enormous changes in the way that urgent care services are provided. This conference is aimed at all those with an interest in understanding the importance of patient and public involvement in urgent care.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: The conference is intended for patients and service users, PCT and SHA senior managers involved in commissioning urgent care services as well as Chief Executives, Directors and senior managers from OOHs and urgent care providers.