Summary
Monitor studied acute service models internationally to inform the development of potential new models of care in the NHS.
“…the NHS may be able to reduce attendances at A&E and provide better services for patients if it was able to adapt aspects of the model of out-of-hours emergency care used successfully by the public health service in Holland”.
Read more: Exploring international acute care models.
Reference
Exploring international acute care models. London: Monitor, December 4th 2014.
See also:
Reference
New models of out-of-hours GP care could reduce A&E attendances in England. London: Monitor, December 4th 2014.
This relates to:
Reference
Exploring international acute care models. London: Monitor, December 4th 2014.
Evidence From the UK: Out-of-Hours GP Services in England (Public Accounts Committee)
The Committee of Public Accounts published a report in November 2014 saying many people are unaware of the different urgent care options, and so receive care in inappropriate settings. Patients’ experience of out-of-hours services varies. So do the costs of these services.
“Too many people are unaware of the different urgent care options – such as out-of-hours GP services, walk-in centres, urgent care centres and A&E departments – and of how to contact them”.
Read more: Out-of-hours GP services in England: report. UK Parliament.
Reference
Out-of-hours GP services in England: report published. London: Committee of Public Accounts, November 12th 2014.
This relates to:
Reference
House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (2014). Out-of-Hours GP Services in England. Twenty-second Report of Sessions 2014–15: Report, together with the formal minutes relating to the report. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 29th October 2014. London: The Stationery Office Limited (House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts), November 12th 2014. HC 583.
National Audit Office Report
The National Audit Office found that parts of the NHS in England get value for money from out-of-hours GP services, but this was not the case always. People whose GPs provide out-of-hours care would have less assurance of receiving an acceptable service.
“People who had not heard of out-of-hours GP services were more likely to go to A&E departments or call 999 if they or their family felt unwell during the night or at the weekend. NHS England has a clear vision to integrate urgent and emergency care services in future, but has not finalised its implementation plans”.
Read more: Out-of-hours GP services in England. National Audit Office (NAO).
Reference
Out-of-hours GP services in England. London: National Audit Office (NAO), September 9th 2014.
This relates to:
Reference
Department of Health and NHS England. Out-of-hours GP services in England. HC 439. Session 2014-15. London: National Audit Office, September 9th 2014.
There is also an Executive Summary.