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we think not!

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Why are GP working hours an issue

for debate?

y Government statements; bold, brave and biased!

y Media/press hype

y Attractive to medical students!

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General reaction to extended work

hours

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Fact or Fiction?

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6.5 million patients dissatisfied

with GP opening hoursy General Practitioners Committee (GPC) survey in

2008/09 showed 84% satisfaction rate amongst

patients.

y Only 4 in 100 wanted extended weekday hours

y

Only 7 in 100 wanted weekend accessy Patients want same day appointments WITHIN

normal working hours; more GPs, not longer openinghours!

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Extended hours have no impact

on daytime GP services

y 8am versus 8pm patients:

Quality of care

Time with GP

y Family responsibilities and work/life balance

y Paper worky Home visits

y On calls

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GPs work 9-5

yMost GPs work 12 hours a day

yMost GPs start at 8am and hope to finish by6pm!

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GPs are paid more for doing less

work

y Average length of consultations in 1992/1993 = 8.4

minutesy Average length of consultations in 2006/2007 = 11.7

minutes

y 25% provide out of hours care

y Increase in length of time with patients = increase inquality of care

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Extended working hours will

benefit all

y Elderly?

y Children?y Housebound patients?

y Funding? (admin costs)

y Workforce? (nurses, receptionists)

y Continuity of care?

y Recruiting more GPs? (medical students, ?happiness)

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Did GPs ever provide extended/out

of hours care?y Yes

y It changed in 2004

y Why?

Patient demand increased = increase in outof hours services

Negative effect on GP performanceQuestion of safety and quality of care

Patients suffered

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So, why suggest a return to unsafe

and unrealistic work hours?y Money!

y Private organisations encouraged to take over the

extended/out of hours services:Limited knowledge of local services and

patients

Use fewer doctors from the UK

Commercialisation of care

y Desire to cut costs at the expense of quality of care;85% of NHS care is provided in the community and GPpractices at just 10% of the NHS budget

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Our thoughts.

yEmergency = A&E

yNot an emergency = NHS Direct or wait forthe morning!

yWhy?

Appropriate and good quality of carefor patientspatients!

yPatients wants patients needs

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Referencesy http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1578189/Most-GPs-against-

plan-to-work-extra-hours.html

y http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7223245.stm

y http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/career-questions-2/do-gps-work-long-hours

y http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/public_sector/article6997387.ece

y http://news.scotsman.com/generalpractitioners/GPs-say---longer.3990513.jp

y http://www.managementinpractice.com/article/11815/Extended_hours_%9

3mere_electioneering%94,_say_GPs?category.id=332y http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23436117-we-all-work-

anti-social-hours---why-cant-gps-too.do

y http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247218/Dont-fall-sick-hours-Scandal-GPs-refusing-work-nights-weekends-claimed-boys-life.html

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Thank you!