Report highlights poor out of hours GP care

The Care Quality Commission has published an interim report into the quality of out-of hours GP care run by some Primary Care Trusts. It has highlighted one example of deficient care provided to a patient who was given ten times the usual dosage of a painkiller resulting in his death.

Out of hours care is vital, when patients are taken ill and need to speak to, or be seen by, a GP. However, this should not mean that the patient should expect any less standard of care just because they need to see their GP out of normal working hours, for example at the weekend. The out of hours service alleviates pressure on Accident and Emergency departments, who patients may turn to if they are unable to see their GP, or such services as NHS Direct (which really exists for a signposting service and general guidance). Therefore it is all the more important that patients should be given the same level of care and be confident in the advice given, as they are with their GP.

The report has highlighted the lack of scrutiny by some PCTs in monitoring the standards provided by some private companies, and it is therefore of paramount importance that more stringent auditing is implemented.