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Your general practice and the family doctor service in
general is under threat.
The government is
taking steps which doctor’s believe will harm patient services. It is
encouraging commercial companies to set up and provide GP services, but many
family doctors are concerned that if this happens, company profits will come
before your needs.
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The services you get
from your local doctor’s practice are some of the best in the world.
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Many other countries
are looking to copy our local health services because they set high
standards and are good value for money.
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Doctors are always
trying to improve patient care. Every year a nationwide survey tells
doctors how you feel about the work they do and helps them to plan and
improve the care they can offer.
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The great majority of
people value their local doctor’s practice and the role it plays in their
local community, and most are very happy with the services that they
receive. |
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High quality care
Providing you with the best care possible is your doctor’s
priority. In the last few years all GPs have been working especially hard to
achieve new standards of care for a wide range of illnesses. It means your
care keeps improving and that long-term health conditions like asthma and
diabetes are better controlled and treated. GPs have provided better care
than the government ever expected them to do. |
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Lifelong care
Your doctor’s practice
looks after you and your family from the time you enter the world to the
moment you leave it. They hold a record of every injury, illness,
appointment and referral you have throughout your life and act as the
central point of contact for all your health care.
Every doctor’s practice
aims to help you build a long lasting and consistent relationship with your
doctor. This is especially important if you have a long term health problem.
Your doctor is also there to speak on your behalf and to make sure you get
joined up care. It is difficult to put a price on having a doctor whom you
trust and who knows you. |
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Out-of-hours
The out-of-hours
service in some areas has got worse. The media and politicians have blamed
GPs for this. It is your local primary care organisation that has
responsibility for out-of-hours care. GPs work for these organisations to
make sure you will always be able to see a doctor if you need to. |
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Value for money
Did you know that on
average your doctor’s practice gets just 20 pence a day for each patient to
provide all their services and care? Or that in total each appointment with
your doctor costs the NHS just £20? That’s compared to up to £300 for an
outpatient appointment at your local hospital or £75 for a visit to accident
and emergency. Your doctor’s practice is great value for money.
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Your local practice is vitally important to the community.
It isn’t always perfect but is striving to get better. We want to improve
the care we provide. This is your practice and we value your support.
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| Please read
our letter to you by clicking here |
