Keeping general practice familiar and local improves continuity of care and can tackle health inequalities more effectively, says a new policy paper from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) www.rcgp.org.uk.
The paper outlines the evidence of the cost-effectiveness of general practice, citing the fact that one day’s GP care is equivalent in cost to one tenth of a day in hospital.
It also makes the link between access and continuity of care – with evidence that patients are actually willing to wait longer to see their preferred clinician – and suggests ways of helping patients achieve effective therapeutic relationships.