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<p>The legal responsibilities of the named accountable general practitioner (GP) are
set out in the National Health Service (General Medical Services [GMS] Contracts)
Regulations 2004 (as amended). The contract (and amendments) include a requirement
for all patients to be assigned a named accountable GP who has overall responsibility
for that patient’s care. This does not necessarily mean that patients will see their
named accountable GP for every appointment. Patients can still request to see a particular
GP, although they may have to wait longer for an appointment if they do so.</p><p>The
Department has not made a formal assessment into the impact and role of named accountable
GPs.</p><p>Under the terms of the GMS Regulations, the named accountable GP must take
lead responsibility for the coordination of all services required under the contract
and ensure they are delivered to each of their patients where required (based on the
clinical judgment of the named accountable GP). The 2015/16 GMS Contract Guidance
(published in March 2015) provides further information on named accountable GPs for
all patients. A copy is attached. The guidance states: ‘Where the patient expresses
a preference as to which GP they have been assigned, the practice must make reasonable
efforts to accommodate this request’. This document provides guidance for commissioners,
local medical committees and GP practices. This information is also of use to individuals
because it explains how named accountable GPs should interact with their patients.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has also provided guidance on how practices
can fulfil the requirement to provide named accountable GPs for their patients.</p><p>Every
patient can request to see a specific GP, including their named accountable GP. Under
the terms of their contract (as set out in Schedule 3, Part 2 of the Regulations),
the GP practice must endeavour to comply with all reasonable requests of patients
to see a particular practitioner. Authorised family members have the same rights.</p><p>Data
is not held centrally on the percentage of named accountable GPs in England who have
seen the patients they are accountable for.</p><p> </p>
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