Save Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Out of hours care



New Which? research highlights consumer confusion and poor awareness over what healthcare services are available outside GP opening hours, and how to access them.


A new report from Which? about out of hours healthcare in England paints a picture of inconsistent and patchy services, which can fail to meet consumers’ needs adequately.

In the last year, around 14.5 millions adults in England sought medical treatment outside of
normal GP surgery hours. But our research shows that consumers are confused about what services are available and how to access them. Some also face long delays and significant
difficulties in getting appropriate care out of hours, and this can have serious consequences for patients and result in overburdened Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments.

Almost a third of people (32 per cent) who needed out of hours care in the last year went to A&E, even though they might well have received care better suited to their needs elsewhere.

Awareness of services that can ease the burden on A&E is low. Only 39 per cent of consumers know about NHS Walk-in Centres and only 21 per cent know that about Minor Injury Units.
And these services are not available in all areas.

NHS Direct, the telephone helpline for consumers, was also found wanting in our report. Inconsistencies in the quality of service, response times and advice, and consumer confusion over its purpose risk NHS Direct being seen as an obstacle on the path to care.


SO PCT,SHA TAKE HEED, THE PEOPLE KNOW THAT G.P'S ARE NOT ACCESSABLE OUT OF HOURS AND GO DIRECT TO A&E SO WHY ARE YOU THINKING OF CUTTING BACK THE SERVICE?
THIS IS NOT AN OPTION UNTIL A FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND FUNDED OUT OF HOURS SERVICE IS AVALIABLE, UNTIL THEN A&E IS THE ONLY OPTION