The 2015-2016 GP contract in England extends the requirement to provide a named accountable GP to all patients, rather than just those over 75. The contract remains "practice-based", so overall responsibility for patient care has not changed.  The role of the named GP is to take responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services and ensure they are delivered where required (based on the named GP's clinical judgement) to each of their patients.

Having a "named GP" means he or she will:

• take the lead for ensuring that we offer you all the appropriate services we can,
• work with relevant associated health and social care professionals where necessary for your care,
• help to ensure that we recognise and respond to your physical and psychological needs,
• ensure you have access to a health check if you request one.

Having a "named GP does not mean he or she will:

• be available 24 hours a day,
• that you will have personal access to the doctor throughout the working week,
• that this is the only doctor or clinician at the practice who will provide you with care.

You do not have to see your named GP when you book an appointment; you can and should feel free to choose to see any GP or nurse in line with current arrangements.

Poundbury Doctors Surgery already operates personal lists for GPs and all patients have their own named, registered GP.  We will be informing patients of their named GP on an ad-hoc basis on contact with the practice.  However, if you wish to have this information sooner place contact Reception who will be happy to help.

Patients over 75 will automatically continue to receive a letter informing of their named GP.