In our response, we urge that improving access to primary care must focus on safety, quality, and reducing health inequalities – not just speed. Key points include:
- Patient Safety: Avoidable harm in primary care remains a concern, especially in diagnosis, medication, and referrals. Stronger safety measures are needed as access expands.
- Health Inequalities: Barriers related to ethnicity, socio-economic status, and discrimination must be addressed to ensure fair access for all.
- Patient Voice: With possible changes to Healthwatch, robust systems for patient feedback and complaints are essential to identify and fix access problems.
- Workforce and Regulation: Safe introduction of new roles and digital tools requires clear regulatory strategies, proper training, and oversight.
The PSA recommends making health inequalities a core priority, strengthening patient feedback systems, and ensuring robust governance for new roles and technologies in primary care