Thread by @_ShrutiST

Some key points for primary care and GPs from the @CareQualityComm #StateOfCare report - a thread.
1/ GP practices are, once again, the highest-rated NHS service (90% rated Good, 4% requires improvement and <0.5% inadequate) that the CQC covers.

2/ The report says workforce data from NHS Digital shows "some areas of concern". Although the total no of full-time equivalent GPs from September 2020 onwards is higher than it has been, the no of qualified permanent GPs, excl GPs in training grade and locums, has been falling.

3/ While many people in the 2021 GP patient survey said they found it "easy" to get through to someone on the phone at their practice (68%), the CQC said it was told by patients about their "inability to make an appointment".

4/ The report said: "People described finding it difficult to figure out the best or ‘correct’ way to contact practices. When calling by phone, people told us they were often on hold or in a queue for a long time.

5/ "Some people found that, when they did make a telephone appointment, the doctor did not call them during the allotted time or at all, and they had to go through the booking process again."

6/ Appointment delivery: Remote appointments "increased substantially" as a result of the pandemic, while F2F appts "have continued to be offered wherever
safe and appropriate".

7/ The CQC heard that "remote consultations were more accessible for some people with a learning disability and their families and carers, as they removed the barriers imposed by travelling to appointments, particularly cost and time".

8/ But local systems told the CQC that they recognised "there are significant challenges using remote consultations, including digital poverty, poor access to the internet, English not being a first language & variation in digital literacy".

9/ Crucially, the CQC said it supports the RCGP’s call for an evaluation of what ‘good’ looks like for digital triage systems, "co-designed with patients and clinicians, to ensure that they do not exacerbate health inequalities".

10/ It added: "The sector needs to think about the future impact of remote or digital appointments, to make sure everyone gets the appropriate access to meet their needs safely." Whether the new F2F targets will help exacerbate this, remains to be seen.

11/ I've said it before, and I'll say it again - people's preferences, local demographics, health needs, accessibility and numerous other factors need to be taken into consideration when talking about remote vs F2F appointments at GP practices. One size can't fit all.

Should've added - the full report can be found at cqc.org.uk/publications/m….