GPs in Warrington have achieved a 44 per cent increase in the level of direct patient care since 2019 – but patients are still dissatisfied with access.
At the same time GPs are experiencing challenges with recruitment and are still feeling the aftereffects of the Covid 19 pandemic.
To improve access, adoption of modern General Practice model is well underway in Warrington, including increased use of technology and the changes are being monitored to assess if this is having the impact on access, or the perception of access, as hoped.
This is stated in a report on the Draft Warrington Primary Care Strategy, 2024-2028 presented to the Warrington Health and Wellbeing Board.
Community Pharmacies can supply prescription medicines for seven common conditions and this, together with Oral Contraception and Blood Pressure expansion, is bringing additional capacity for the wider system and greater choice for the residents of Warrington about where to access care.
But residents need to be aware of the changes for them to have the greatest impact.
Dentistry is facing its own challenges with reduced access to NHS dental services, meaning some individuals find themselves without access to dental provision. This is expected to take time to resolve.
Optometry is yet to have a strategy and improvement plan developed. Like General Practice and Dentistry they face long waiting lists and capacity challenges. This again will take time to address, but all opportunities to integrate Optometry with the wider Primary Care offer will be explored.
The report acknowledges that Warrington’s Primary Care workforce are highly skilled and willing to embrace change as shown by the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The Primary Care Strategy needs to ensure they have all the tools and support they need.
