Research shows that patients are unhappy with out of hours doctors

A damning report has shown that standards of care are much worse in areas where GPs do not provide evening and weekend services, and locum doctors are employed to take on that role.

The research, carried out by the universities of Cambridge, Exeter and University College London, which involved a million patients, showed that locum doctors employed by private firms, are less trusted, offer a ‘very poor’ service overall, and are more likely to turn up late.

John Campbell, professor in primary care at the University of Exeter Medical School and one of the report’s authors, said that it was a possibility that private firms were placing more importance on profit than care.

Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association said that the findings were “potentially very serious”.

She added “People feel at their most vulnerable when they are ill and they want to be able to access the most appropriate healthcare professional.

“Patients are still receiving different standards of care depending upon where they live.

“Irrespective of who is providing treatment, standards of care should be of a high quality, effective, safe and compassionate – the safety and wellbeing of the patient must never be compromised.”

NHS figures have also shown that the number of women missing cervical cancer checks has risen by 11 per cent in five years. Campaigners say that a lack of GP appointments in the evenings and at weekends could be creating a barrier for working women. The test can be unpleasant and when it is difficult to get an appointment, women may be more likely to put it off.

Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the GP committee of the British Medical Association, said that a gap in the quality of GP-led out of hour services and those led by the private sector was becoming apparent.

“Those out of hours services with roots in the NHS often retain their connection with local GPs who continue to work evenings and weekends, providing a strong line of continuity and connection with patients” he said.

“GP’s in these working arrangements often have a greater say in how services are delivered, which takes into account the needs of the local community.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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