What is the Perfect General Practice?

There are no perfect practices, only imperfect practices. Some are more imperfect than others.

How do you recognise a quality practice?

• There is easy ACCESS to the service - patients don't have to wait too long to see you
• The BEST Treatments are available - when patients see you they get the best evidence-based treatments
• The CUSTOMERS are satisfied - patients are happy with all aspects of the service they receive
• A DEPTH of health care is available - in addition to any presenting complaint, the longer term health needs of the patient are addressed
• It is an EFFICIENT & EFFECTIVE service - resources are not wasted, the patient's care is timely and appropriate.
• It provides a FAIR service to all patients - all patients receive the same standard of service

Reference: GP Training Handbook, Blackwell Science-3rd Edition 1999. Chapter on ‘Practice Systems’.

Other quality measures include
NHS Quality Outcome Framework
RCGP Quality Practice Award
RCGP Quality Team Development

To become a better practice return to the start on the Bristol GP solutions homepage.

What do you think?

The Kings Fund has launched (April 2009) an 18-month inquiry to establish a set of measures by which to assess and compare care in different GP practices. It will examine regular GP activities, such diagnosing illness, referring patients to specialists and issuing prescriptions, on which there are currently no established standards. The inquiry, which will report in September 2010, will test out its findings through a series of surveys and events with GPs and patients this autumn (2009) . To take part in these events email gpinquiry@kingsfund.org.uk

If you have any suggestions about how we can recognise a perfect practice email them to contact@bristolgpsolutions.org.uk