Commenting on analysis from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) about changes to GP practices, Genevieve Smyth, Professional Advisor for Primary Care at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, said:
‘We need a radical rethink of how GP services are delivered. Patients should always be at the forefront of any practitioner’s mind, and if patients need to go through their GP in order to be referred to other services, that will only lead to more delays, more frustration and, potentially, people going without the care and support they need.
‘GP surgeries need to employ a greater number of different types of professionals, including occupational therapists, who people can book appointments with directly – without needing a GP referral. This would mean people would be able to get the right support, when they need it. It would take pressure off GPs themselves, so that they can do the job they’ve been trained for. And it would help prevent people reaching crisis point.
‘Having occupational therapists in GP surgeries allows us to focus on prevention and early intervention. It means people living with multiple health conditions or complex needs will be better able to manage their symptoms and reduce the need for hospital and specialist services.’