BMA calls for extended 15-minute GP appointments

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for a new approach to the length and number of GP appointments in order to improve care standards and reduce pressure on practices.

In a report entitled Safe Working Levels in General Practice, the BMA has recommended that GP appointments be lengthened to 15 minutes, while the number of consultations be limited to a target of 25 a day.

Currently, the recommended consultation length is ten minutes, which the doctors' organisation believes is not long enough to deal with patients who have multiple complex conditions. This is likely to become an increasingly big problem as the population ages.

It was also noted that the average number of consultations is reaching 40 to 60 patients a day for some practices, which is way above EU recommendations of 25, and could be jeopardising patient safety.

Brian Balmer, GP committee executive team member at the BMA, said: "General practice in the UK cannot be allowed to continue being run into the ground; it's time for positive change that gives patients the care they deserve."

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