Multi million boost for primary care to help more patients get urgent help this winter
Thousands of additional GP appointments are being funded this winter to ensure people can get the help and support they need in Surrey and Sussex.
People will benefit from up to £7 million targeted investment in primary care this winter, following agreement of the NHS Surrey and Sussex Winter Plan.
The specific funding will create more than 200,000 more same day appointments for patients requiring support from their GP practice for respiratory conditions and other common seasonal conditions.
The aim is that this will support people to receive the help they need at their GP practice, helping conditions from getting worse and escalating over the winter months, meaning that they may have otherwise required hospital care.
Further to this, the ICB will also commission additional capacity from community pharmacies for key conditions such as asthma; and targeted outreach work to improve seasonal vaccination uptake.
During the winter, the NHS tends to see increases in emergency hospital admissions, seasonal illnesses, and overall operational pressure. Cases of influenza (flu), COVID-19, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surge during colder months, and cold weather triggers or aggravates existing conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases.
Overall, this additional funding aims to ensure that people can receive same day appointments if needed and creates resilience among general practice during a busy season. Previous evaluations of similar initiatives suggests that by taking this action and increasing primary care appointments, the NHS could avoid around 6,700 A&E attendances. This will protect emergency services for saving lives.
The investment forms an important part of the NHS winter plan agreed by the ICB Board on Wednesday (30 September), which sets out how health services across Surrey and Sussex will work to keep patients safe and how collectively the local health and care system will manage additional winter pressures.
Amy Galea, Chief Commissioning Officer - Neighbourhoods and Partnerships said:
For most people, their GP practice, community pharmacy or another local primary care service is their first point of contact with the NHS.
This investment is about strengthening that front door during winter and making it easier for people who need urgent help to get the right advice, appointment or treatment
Importantly, we want to target additional support where pressures and population need are greatest, so that the investment makes the biggest possible difference for patients.
In addition to the investment, GP practices and pharmacies are offering vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV this autumn. Booked clinics and drop in opportunities are taking place across communities, and people who are eligible can arrange their vaccination directly or via the NHS App.
Both the additional investment and the enhanced focus on vaccination this winter, reflects the wider plan's emphasis on earlier intervention and providing more care closer to home.
The plan also includes action to improve use of virtual wards and remote monitoring, urgent community response, Hospital at Home and other alternatives to hospital.
Amy continued:
We know that a strong primary care service is central to keeping people well and supporting the whole NHS through winter.
By funding up to £7 million we can ensure that there is additional support where it is most needed, helping primary care services respond to winter demand better and helping more people access timely care closer to home.
This isn't about one part of the NHS working in isolation. Our winter plan brings together primary care, community services, hospitals, mental health services, ambulance services, NHS 111 and our wider partners, all with the shared aim of helping people stay well and ensuring those who need NHS care can get the right support, from the right provider.
The ICB will monitor the delivery and impact of its winter interventions as the season progresses.