On 15 May, the new access regulations come into force for GMS and PMS contract-holders. These changes were imposed after GPC England roundly rejected NHSE’s proposals for the 2023/24 year.

The BMA firmly believe access regulations are fundamentally misconceived. It is not possible to meaningfully increasepatient access without dealing with the issue throttling the access in the first place – workload and capacity in general practice. During contract negotiations they made clear our concern with this  approach to dealing with systemic problems, and forcefully bargained for real solutions.

Their proposals were rejected, and the Government has elected to push forward with these changes.

The BMA  have developed guidance for practices to help them navigate this. 

The key change practices need to be aware of is that patients cannot be asked to call back another day; instead, patients must be offered an appointment, offered “appropriate advice or care”, signposted to a service or resource, asked to provide further information, or informed as to when they will receive further information about the services that may be provided (having regard to urgency of clinical needs andother relevant circumstances).