General practice enhanced access
Summary
The new enhanced access arrangements aim to remove variability across the country by putting in place a more standardised and better understood offer for patients. They will bring the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) workforce more consistently into the offer and support Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to use the Enhanced Access (EA) capacity for delivering routine services. It provides an opportunity to develop a better blend of Appointment modes including taking advantage of a more digitally enabled offer, facilitating convenient access for patients and flexible working for staff. Introducing a more multidisciplinary offer means patients can access a broader set of services including screening and vaccination.
Communications assets have been developed to help support practices and PCNs to inform and signpost patients to new Enhanced Access services. The guide includes practical advice on how to develop a range of communications activities, in addition to information on developing a communications plan, identifying local target audiences and other stakeholders and a range of materials.
Guidance
The guide includes information to support areas in developing:
- communications plan
- key messages for patients
- printed materials and advertising
- digital communications
- press and media releases
- working with local partners
- assets to be able to utilise in practice such as Generic display screen assets are available to download from the Campaign Resource Centre.
We recommend you interact with the resources provided in this toolkit in the following ways:
Ensure that information regarding Enhanced Access to general practice services is placed on PCN and GP practice websites, and that this information can be easily accessed on the website’s homepage.
Video a GP, member of the practice team or patient representative talking about the new services for display on practice information screens or websites. Videos should ideally be produced in a high-definition resolution and no longer than three minutes in length, with subtitles to ensure they are as accessible as possible. Local commissioners may be able to offer support or advice on video production.
Use the practice’s SMS texting service to inform patients about Enhanced Access services.
Place a promotional banner on GP practice websites, linking to your web pages with information on any new or extended services and the times they are available.
Place a promotional banner at the bottom of practice emails, embedding a clickable link to information on website about new or extended services and times they are available.
Link
To access the communications resources, use this link: General practice enhanced access including; assets supporting commissioners and general practices to inform and signpost patients to the enhanced access services.