NHS England have introduced Enhanced Access Services, which enable patients to see a variety of clinicians outside of core hours. This is a national service which all PCN’s are tasked to provide, offering access to routine primary care between 18.30-20.00 on weekdays and 09.00-17.00 on Saturdays.
LLR Patient Care Locally has been working in collaboration with Derbyshire Health United and Phoenix Healthcare Partnership to provide Enhanced Access Services on behalf of Rutland, Melton, Syston and Vale and Saletum Primary Care Networks. These services takes the form of remote telephone appointments during the weekday enhanced service hours and a range of face-to-face appointments during the Saturday service. These appointments address a range of different patient needs, from long term conditions through to bloods, smears and minor illness appointments.
The structure and management of these particular enhanced services in unusual due to its sub-contracted nature. LLR PCL is responsible for the financial and project management of the scheme. We also supply site managers who are responsible for opening and closing the GP premises at weekends (so PCN’s don’t have to). LLR PCL also supply a central booking team who are responsible for making and cancelling appointments for patients. Derbyshire Health United CIC are responsible for the human resources elements of the scheme: the rota management, supply of clinical staff, payroll etc. The scheme is also able to utilise DHU drivers on a Saturday, to deliver blood samples to laboratories for testing. Phoenix Healthcare Partnership are responsible for leading on clinical governance, supporting on the day clinical delivery and also dealing with complaints, incident investigation and CQC reporting.
By forming an Enhanced Access Alliance, each partner organisation brings with them a wide range of skills and expertise which enhances the service for patients and makes it more effective and efficient for PCNs.