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Focus on extended access 2008/09 – commencing 1 April 2008

updated September 2008

This guidance has been produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) to help GPs and local medical committees (LMCs) understand the changes that have been made to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2008/09.

Provision for extending access is in the form of a directed enhanced service (DES); the terms of which differ between England, Scotland and Wales. This document provides guidance to each of these nations. Extended access is not considered to be a priority in Northern Ireland. It is important to remember that practice participation in the DES is not compulsory. Whilst this DES is specific to GMS contractors, it is likely that the DES will also be offered to the majority of Personal Medical Services (PMS) contractors (Section 17c practitioners in Scotland).

In England, primary care organisations (PCOs) are required within their operating framework to ensure that at least 50 per cent of GP practices in their area offer extended opening to their patients. This does not mean that 50% must take up the DES, since there is provision to offer an extended access local enhanced service (LES) as an alternative. However, PCOs are increasingly under pressure to ensure that the terms of LES contracts are in line with the DES specifications.

To download this guidance please click on the link on the right hand side of this page.