A coalition of primary care organisations has welcomed commitments made at the conferences of the three main parties to support more integrated community health provision and local partnership
Jeremy Hunt: “If there’s one big change we need more than anything, it’s to transform the care older people receive outside hospital”
Andy Burnham: “… it makes no sense to cut simple support in people’s homes only to spend thousands keeping them in hospital”
Norman Lamb: “we will … [ensure] good access to primary care and linking community services much more closely to your local GP practice”
Organisations representing local audiologists, dentists, opticians, optometrists and pharmacists joined forces at this year’s party conferences to unite in a call for the rebuilding of primary care, beyond only GP services, to meet the health challenges of the future.
The coalition has welcomed commitments made by senior politicians from all three parties to support a modern and responsive model of care that brings NHS services closer to the community and make best use of the skills of local health professionals.
Mick Armstrong, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Principal Executive Committee, said: “Primary care is more than just GPs and there is a network of qualified health professionals working up and down the country every day. Only by utilising our skills can the NHS face the challenges of the future.”
Mark Georgevic, Chair of the National Community Hearing Association, said: “Most people over 65 have at least one long term condition; those over 75 often have two or more. Sensory impairment compounds this. Only a refocused and revitalised primary care can support this growing need.”
Don Grocott, Chair of the Optical Confederation, said: “Only by the whole of primary care working together can we keep people fit and well, independent and out of hospital. The whole perspective of care needs to be redefined for the 21st century.”
Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, said: “Providing politicians with a shared perspective of primary care will, we hope, play an invaluable role in shaping the future of our NHS. It is imperative that primary care providers work together, sharing one vision and set of values, to project a unified voice to politicians and policy makers. The We Are Primary Care report has provided the primary care sector with strong foundations, but we must aim to build on the momentum we have gained over the past few weeks to ensure the potential of all health care professions is met.”