Thousands of Extra Appointments to Ease Pressure on Cornwall’s GPs: What You Need to Know

Since April last year, an additional 25,000 urgent-on-the-day appointments have been made available at 11 new primary care hubs and numerous GP surgeries across Cornwall. NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board has partnered with local GP surgeries to enhance access for patients, providing around 2,500 extra appointments per month, which rises to 3,500 during the winter months.

The initiative, which started in December 2023, has already made a significant impact. Over the last two weeks of January, 1,000 extra appointments were provided, with plans to continue this support through 2025/26.

A Targeted Response to Patient Needs

Feedback from 10,000 residents during a community engagement exercise highlighted the need for better access to GP services. Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, explained the impact of this investment:

“This investment into providing extra appointments is enabling our GPs to have the capacity to offer more routine appointments to see those patients with complex care needs, who may need to see a specific clinician who is familiar with their care or who knows that patient very well. This can also include having time to make home visits, for those unable to get to their GP surgery.”

Relieving Pressure Across the Healthcare System

The primary care hubs focus on treating minor illnesses such as coughs, chest infections, sore throats, and urinary tract infections. By addressing these conditions promptly, practitioners are helping to ease the burden on hospitals and emergency services.

Dr Chris Reid added:

“Investing into general practice service in this way relieves pressure on the health system as a whole, helping our GPs and also supporting secondary care services such as NHS 111 and ultimately our hospitals too.

“By giving GP and staff within surgeries the time to see patients with complex care needs in a more proactive fashion, it reduces the chances of patients deteriorating and therefore helps reduce the burden on other areas such as the emergency department.”

Who Staffs the Hubs?

Primary care hubs are staffed by experienced practitioners, including advanced nurse practitioners, paramedics, and GPs, who work additional hours to provide this vital service.

Lewis Clark, a paramedic at the St Austell Healthcare hub, highlighted the benefits:

“My role here in the winter hub is to see minor illnesses, chest infections, ear infections. We’re trying to ease pressure by seeing people sooner, getting people treated earlier, which may prevent them from needing to go to hospital. We’ve had very positive feedback.”

Looking Ahead

GP surgeries across Cornwall already offer an impressive 350,000 appointments monthly. With additional support from primary care hubs, NHS Cornwall aims to deliver 55,000 more GP appointments per year starting in 2025/26.

For those seeking care, patients should contact their GP practice as usual. Following a triage by their doctor, they may be directed to a primary care hub or their local surgery depending on their needs.

This proactive approach is helping Cornwall’s healthcare system manage demand while improving access to vital services for local residents.