The British Medical Association (BMA) has given cautious backing to proposals to allow patients to register with two GP practices and emphasised the role the NHS Care Records Service (NCRS) would need to play in such a plan.
In its submission to the government’s consultation on the future of care outside hospital, the BMA says it can “see the benefits” of dual registration to allow patients to register with their GPs at home and to allow commuters access to primary care services closer to their workplace.
The association’s evidence, prepared principally by its GP committee and with input from other branches of the profession, concedes that dual registration is the sort of improvement many patients want and says the BMA can offer suggestions on how such a system could be funded.
It says dual registration would be enabled by the NCRS which could provide access to patients’ electronic records at home and at the workplace.
The submission adds: “We emphasise the need to increase clinician involvement in the development of the NCRS so that existing concerns about confidentiality, security and the quality of a multi-contributory record can be addressed.”
The BMA goes on to say that any timescales to implement greater access to services should not place unrealistic pressures on the delivery of the NCRS. The BMA warns that such pressure “could result in a system which is not fit for purpose and will put patient safety at risk.”
The submission also emphasises that any dual registration arrangement should not be allowed to diminish the registered list system.
It adds: “We have proposals as to how the benefits of dual registration could be achieved without detriment to the principles of the list based system described.”
Other aspects of the submission include a proposal that while GP practice-based care is preserved for the majority of patients’ needs, new neighbourhood centres are set up to offer other clinical services such as physiotherapy and dietetics, plus information on health conditions and advice for patients on how to manage their illnesses.
It says better links between the health and social care sectors would also be welcome although concerns about patient confidentiality would have to be carefully considered.
The government is due to publish a white paper on care outside hospital next month following its consultation, Your Health Your Care Your Say, which has included a series of public meetings around the country.
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