Members of Knowsley Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Committee have been updated on work to improve access to GP services for residents.
The report, an update from November 2022, details how Knowsley GP practices have responded to the need for better access by implementing a range of initiatives. These include:
- Expanded workforce: Practices have increased the number of staff, such as clinical pharmacists and healthcare assistants, to support GPs.
- Increased use of technology: More residents are using the NHS App for appointments and information, and GP practices have introduced online consultation tools and secure messaging.
- Improved telephone systems: All practices now use cloud-based telephony with call-back options to reduce waiting times.
- Enhanced pharmacy services: The new Pharmacy First service allows residents to access treatment for common conditions at their local pharmacy.
There are 23 GP practices in Knowsley, operating from 32 different sites. They form part of a series of Primary Care Networks. There are currently 173,873 patients registered with Knowsley GPs and Knowsley practices provide approximately 85,000 patient consultations each month.
Efforts to improve access to GP services have resulted in:
- An increase in the overall number of appointments offered.
- Increased patient satisfaction when booking appointments.
- A higher proportion of face-to-face appointments compared to regional and national averages.
However, the report also acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly in recruiting and retaining GPs. Knowsley has a lower number of GPs per patient compared to regional and national averages.
Committee member will now identify specific recommendations that could be adopted to ensure Knowsley residents receive the best service possible from their GP practice.