Survey highlights government's flip-flopping - Lamb

1.41.29pm GMT Tue 30th Jan 2007

Commenting on the results of the GP access survey, showing that 69% of patients want their GP to provide more out of hours care, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:

"The Government is flip-flopping on the issue of GP out of hours care.

"Having grossly underestimated the cost of the new contract, they are now putting pressure on doctors to work out of hours despite having created the means by which they can opt out of doing so.

"This is hugely inconsistent and unfair, both on GPs who agreed the contract in the first place and on patients who were expecting a better service from it.

"The Government claims to be listening to patients by providing choice, yet people overwhelmingly want better access to their local GP.

"The full effects of the contract need to be reviewed - so that we know whether it is providing the best care and value for money."

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK.