The Welsh Government introduced access standards in 2019, which GP practices were asked to follow in order to improve the level of service for patients. These were subsequently revised by the Minister for Health and Social Care Services. In April 2022, the standards included a second phase in which practices were required to improve access based on patient experience and use of care navigation. See the list of standards below:
The practice will have
- A telephone system with a recording function that allows analysis of call data.
- An introductory telephone message, recorded in English and Welsh, advising patients to call the emergency services if they have a life-threatening condition.
- Digital access for patients and care homes to request repeat medication.
- Accessible methods for patients to access services and contact the practice digitally for non-urgent and advanced appointments.
- The provision of a same-day consultation for children with acute presentations and patients clinically triaged as requiring an urgent appointment.
- A system in place to actively signpost patients to appropriate services, which may be provided in the practice or as an attached network service.
- Display details of how to access services on our website and on the waiting room notice board.