Patients in England should soon be able to bypass GPs and self-refer to physios and a host of other health staff, after ministers gave the plan their backing.
Patients in England should soon be able to bypass GPs and self-refer to physios and a host of other health staff, after ministers gave the plan their backing.
The Department of Health is to call on NHS chiefs to allow people to go straight to dieticians, podiatrists and speech therapists as well as physios.
The Department of Health is to call on NHS chiefs to allow people to go straight to dieticians, podiatrists and speech therapists as well as physios.
Many areas already allow self-referral, but ministers are now formally backing the policy - as Scotland has done.
Many areas already allow self-referral, but ministers are now formally backing the policy - as Scotland has done.
But doctors said self-referral could put too much pressure on services.
But doctors said self-referral could put too much pressure on services.
Many NHS trusts have been developing self-referral schemes over the last two years.
Many NHS trusts have been developing self-referral schemes over the last two years.
It has been part of a drive to free GPs to concentrate on more complex care, but now ministers want to see it become commonplace across England.
It has been part of a drive to free GPs to concentrate on more complex care, but now ministers want to see it become commonplace across England.
If there were a rise in direct referrals in overstretched areas there would need to be additional investment to meet the demand for appointments Dr Laurence Buckman, of the British Medical Association
If there were a rise in direct referrals in overstretched areas there would need to be additional investment to meet the demand for appointments Dr Laurence Buckman, of the British Medical Association
The government will publish a report on Tuesday showing how it can help to speed access, reduce absenteeism from work and increase satisfaction levels with care.
The government will publish a report on Tuesday showing how it can help to speed access, reduce absenteeism from work and increase satisfaction levels with care.
About a quarter of all GP consultations are musculo-skeletal related with many just ending with a referral to local physio services.
About a quarter of all GP consultations are musculo-skeletal related with many just ending with a referral to local physio services.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson is expected to say: "Self-referral will help both vulnerable members of society and those with busy lives by providing quicker access without the unnecessary hoop-jumping of going to see the doctor first."
Health Secretary Alan Johnson is expected to say: "Self-referral will help both vulnerable members of society and those with busy lives by providing quicker access without the unnecessary hoop-jumping of going to see the doctor first."
The move will cover all allied health professionals who treat problems with the feet and lower legs as well as general physio services - although no extra money is being made available and or mandatory targets set.
The move will cover all allied health professionals who treat problems with the feet and lower legs as well as general physio services - although no extra money is being made available and or mandatory targets set.
The Department of Health said the number of such workers in the NHS has increased by over a third in the last 10 years to 77,000.
The Department of Health said the number of such workers in the NHS has increased by over a third in the last 10 years to 77,000.
Waiting times
Waiting times
But that has still not solved waiting time problems. The services are not covered by the government's 18-week hospital target and some areas have waiting times which run to many months.
But that has still not solved waiting time problems. The services are not covered by the government's 18-week hospital target and some areas have waiting times which run to many months.
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said the move had the potential to improve access to services.
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said the move had the potential to improve access to services.
But he added: "If there were a rise in direct referrals in overstretched areas there would need to be additional investment to meet the demand for appointments.
But he added: "If there were a rise in direct referrals in overstretched areas there would need to be additional investment to meet the demand for appointments.
"Without this, we could have a situation where those patients who are referred by their GP or who are leaving hospital have trouble accessing these services.â
"Without this, we could have a situation where those patients who are referred by their GP or who are leaving hospital have trouble accessing these services.â
Phil Gray, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said self-referral would stop the "merry-go-round" between GP, consultant and physio.
Phil Gray, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said self-referral would stop the "merry-go-round" between GP, consultant and physio.
"Increased flexibility in appointment times, direct access and self-referral enhance patient choice and control."
"Increased flexibility in appointment times, direct access and self-referral enhance patient choice and control."
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