Strengthening primary and community care services
GPs, dentists and pharmacies, also known as primary care teams, are most people's first port of call when they develop symptoms of ill health. The range of services available to patients have evolved in recent times, but these services still play a crucial frontline role in treating patients, signposting them to other services and coordinating care.
Community care teams, including district nurses and health visitors, allow people with long-term conditions to access flexible and personalised support either at home, or in an NHS setting closer to home than their local hospital.
Staff in primary and community care settings are facing immense challenges, with both clinical and administrative workforce shortages combining with a rise in demand for increasingly complex care.
We have analysed the experiences people shared with us of the NHS’s ‘front door’ and identified what is working well and which areas patients want to see improved. We think these solutions can not only help inform a future vision for primary care, but also drive efficiencies across the whole system.
A special thank you goes to the local Healthwatch who contributed evidence to this briefing and to the Royal College of General Practitioners for reviewing our findings.
