The NHS Confederation and NHS Alliance welcome the recommendations included in Dr David Colin-Thomé's and Dr Steve Field's report on out of hours care in England. Following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of David Gray, both organisations say a more effective oversight of out of hours care is necessary to reduce variations in standards of care.

David Stout, director of the NHS Confederation's PCT Network, said:

"While out of hours services have improved in recent years, the tragic death of David Gray has highlighted some weaknesses in how care is provided and commissioned.

"We support the recommendations for PCTs within Dr Colin-Thomé's report, including benchmarking and patient feedback tools, to help drive up the standards of out of hours care.

"The variability of how primary care trusts monitor out of hours GP services needs to be addressed and we agree with the proposal for more detailed national guidance to provide further clarity on which doctors can be admitted to and removed from the Performers List.

"PCTs, GPs and out of hours providers all have a responsibility to ensure patient care is never jeopardised. A return to the old system would not benefit patients or GPs, but it is right to examine the current system and consider the best way to bring about improvements.

Rick Stern, NHS Alliance's urgent care lead, said:
"The death of David Gray was caused by an appalling error. Although this was a mistake made by one individual practitioner, it has highlighted wider failures which must be addressed. Therefore, it is essential that GP, PCTs and commissioners take recommendations in today's report on board to help drive up the quality of out of hours care.

"However, one must not lose sight of the fact that this is meant to be an integrated urgent care system, which includes NHS Direct, walk-in centres and extended GP surgery opening hours, not just out of hours care. It's also important to remember that, while safety is our top priority for out of hours services - and we are looking to work with national partners to put measures in place to make out of hours care safer â€" most out of hours services do a good job most of the time, something that seems to have been forgotten amidst the recent negative news reports."

Notes

1. The PCT Network represents over 90 per cent of PCTs in England. It was established in December 2006 to provide a distinct voice for PCTs. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation;

2. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Source
The NHS Alliance