Frustrations in GP appointments being used inappropriately led Chiswick Health Practice in Hounslow to participate in the Productive General Practice (PGP) Quick Start programme.

The improvements made helped the team reduce inappropriate appointments (those that can be seen and treated either through self management i.e. purchasing medication at a pharmacy, or by another more appropriate healthcare professional), releasing over 600 GP hours a year. The time released has enabled GPs to spend more time on complex cases, hold a number of their own caseloads over the longer term (as they now schedule their own recalls) and run dedicated specialist clinics that they were unable to before.

The programme is delivered by NHS England’s Sustainable Improvement team and part of the Time for Care support available through the General Practice Forward View.

Link to the case study is https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/case-studies/600-gp-hours-released-a-year-after-reducing-inappropriate-appointments-chiswick-health-practice-london/