What’s been tried? A catalogue of efforts to improve access to

Increasing the number and range of professionals available to see patients within general practice 3.1 Expansion and diversification of skill-mix These interventions relate to the employment of additional staff, including allied health professionals and non-clinical roles to contribute to the delivery and organisation of care. [...] • Practice-based mental-health staff231 and social workers.232 • General practice assistants to carry out administrative tasks and basic clinical duties which can free up GPs’ time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments.233 • Introduction of specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors to practise in general practice.234 • Training to develop the skills of existing practice staff. [...] Return to contents list 8 How is this expected to improve access to general practice? Increasing and maintaining the number of GPs available to consult with patients is a core feature of campaigns to improve access to general practice. [...] How is this expected to improve access to general practice? These approaches aim to reduce demands on general practice by promoting awareness of the services available and how to access the most appropriate services to meet one’s needs; supporting patients to cope with illness without the support of a health care provider where appropriate; and facilitating better use of consultations that do take. [...] A qualitative study of the impact of the implementation of advanced access in primary healthcare on the working lives of general practice staff.