NHS: Out of Hours Service

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Tuesday 26th March 2013 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure high-quality out of hours GP medical care is in place.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe)]

My Lords, people are entitled to expect high-quality health services at any time of day or night. All out-of-hours services must be delivered according to national quality requirements, and local providers have a legal requirement to make sure that high-quality out-of-hours care is in place. If this is not happening, we expect action to be taken immediately to improve services.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark]

The publication of the Patients Association survey and the comments from the BMA highlight that many GP practices are struggling to cope with a rising workload as resources are falling. Does the Minister agree that, with many other changes taking place across government on 1 April, we are in a dangerous and worrying period for people who find themselves in need of health and related services?