Potential impact of removing general practice boundaries in England: A policy analysis

Nicholas Mays, Stefanie Tan, Elizabeth Eastmure, Bob Erens, Mylene Lagarde and Michael Wright

Health Policy, 2014, vol. 118, issue 3, 273-278

Abstract: In 2015, the UK government plans to widen patient choice of general practitioner (GP) to improve access through the voluntary removal of practice boundaries in the English NHS. This follows a 12-month pilot in four areas where volunteer GP practices accepted patients from outside their boundaries. Using evidence from the pilot evaluation, we discuss the likely impact of this policy change on patient experience, responsiveness and equity of access. Patients reported positive experiences but in a brief pilot in four areas, it was not possible to assess potential demand, the impact on quality of care or health outcomes. In the rollout, policymakers and commissioners will need to balance the access needs of local residents against the demands of those coming into the area. The rollout should include full information for prospective patients; monitoring and understanding patterns of patient movement between practices and impact on practice capacity; and ensuring the timely transfer of clinical information between providers. This policy has the potential to improve choice and convenience for a sub-group of the population at lower marginal costs than new provision. However, there are simpler, less costly, ways of improving convenience, such as extending opening hours or offering alternatives to face-to-face consultation.

Keywords: Patient choice; Practice boundaries; General practice; NHS; Primary care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:118:y:2014:i:3:p:273-278

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.10.018

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