GP reforms ‘cut unnecessary referrals’

The government’s GP reforms have seen a reduction in the number of unnecessary referrals, according to new claims from the Department of Health.

GPs who take control of commissioning decisions have seen the number of referrals to consultants drop by a quarter, with early evidence indicating that patients have been receiving a better service as a result, the government claims.

If this figure is matched to the entire NHS, some 2.5 million patients could benefit from treatment at local GP surgeries and health centres, rather than having to travel to large hospitals, the department states.

Andy Burnham, health minister, commented that the reforms have seen the health service help to “provide more care closer to home”.

“Dealing with some referrals outside of large hospitals is common sense, as it can relieve pressure on the NHS, provide more convenient care for patients, deliver better value for money for the taxpayer and help us slash hospital waits,” he remarked.

Mr Burnham concluded by saying that new initiatives such as this are the only ways in which the promise of a waiting limit of 18 weeks can be met for 2008.

Recent Department of Health figures show that currently between 70 and 80 per cent of non-admitted patients and over a third of admitted patients are seen in 18 weeks or less.