Access to a GP and other health care professionals that may be required
Care home and nursing home residents have the same rights as the rest of the population to access the full range of general medical services (GMS) The GP is their route to referral for assessment and treatment by primary and secondary NHS services. The relationship between the home and the residents’ GPs is therefore critical to their health and wellbeing and we have an excellent relationship with our local healthcare services including a weekly GP check and District Nurses visits.
The care home and general practice can both provide information for residents and relatives to clarify:
Roles of primary care and other health professionals
How residents register with a GP (and who is responsible for doing this), entitlements to basic services, any enhanced services and how residents can exercise choice
How the care home makes the decision to contact a GP, and how they obtain feedback on the outcome of GP visits.
We have found, and residents have confirmed, that a GP who visits regularly and is familiar with the residents has a beneficial impact. The GP may have a better understanding of any current medical needs within the context of previous and future health needs.
