Abstract
Primary care is the cornerstone of our health services with more than three-quarters of NHS contacts being through general practices (Audit Commission, 2002). However, the work of general practices has changed considerably over the last 50 years, reflecting many organizational changes as well as numerous developments in clinical care, which have both extended life and enabled effective complex disease management outside hospitals. Unfortunately the hoped-for reduction in workload from the establishment of NHS Direct and Walk-in Centres has not been realised. Further, one-third of the workforce is approaching retirement age and despite intensive recruitment and retention initiatives many GP, practice nurse and community nurse vacancies remain unfilled. Compounded with this is the recognition that services need to be modernized so that they meet population needs, with the convenience of users taking precedence over established service delivery patterns. This has resulted in numerous tensions between the traditional model of service delivery focused around the GP and modern expectations which demand rapid access, uniform care standards and extended provision to minimize hospital contact (Audit Commission, 2002).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
