A Policy Exchange report has proposed a radical new framework to tackle the inequality of primary health care provision.
The overwhelming majority of NHS activity takes place in primary care, for just 11% of total NHS costs. But whilst the Government has channelled an enormous increase in funds into the NHS the positive impact of this has not been felt by patients needing primary care services in the most deprived parts of the country. Despite increases in the number of doctors, the number of full-time GPs per 100,000 of the population is falling. And at present, the most deprived areas have fewer doctors per head according to need than Primary Care Trust in more affluent areas.
By changing the way we allocate NHS resources, we could deliver better outcomes and increased public satisfaction at lower costs. We could also encourage greater patient engagement in their own healthcare, and give real choice to the people who want it most.
The proposals set out in the report recommend that the majority of NHS funding (£84.4 billion in 2010–11) be distributed on the basis of a patients’ age and postcodes, and that GPs be financially incentivised to set up practices in areas of most need through a ‘patient premium’.
Patients should also be actively encouraged to choose at which surgery to register, and have access to improved information about the primary care services on offer in their area through the use of Health Trainers and a patient feedback and ratings website, run by an independent organisation such as the Consumers’ Association.
A full copy of the report can be found at www.policyexchange.org.uk
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