Plymouth, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/05/2012 -- Patients will be able to register with a GP close to their work under a new proposal. Labour first announced plans to relax the rules on GP registration and now Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has now pushed the proposal forward. A source from Cascade has commented on this report, saying, “Many of us have hectic lives so health services should be there to make things easier. A busy mum needs flexibility - she may want to register at a practice near her children’s school. If you work long hours, you may want to register at a practice closer to work. It makes perfect sense.”
An agreement between doctors and the Government now means NHS patients in England could also change to a GP near a relative they care for or close to a child's school. It also means that those who move only a short distance can stay with their current surgery. The Managing Director from Cascade, a successful marketing company based in Plymouth which is continually expanding has commented on the proposal, saying, “Giving patients the choice of clinic is a great idea, it will certainly prove beneficial for a lot of people, whatever their circumstances.”
Mr Lansley said: "Patients often tell me that they want more choice over which practice they can register with, so I am pleased that this deal allows three major pilots to be launched across England that will allow patients to register at practices away from where they live, such as near to where they work. This will allow us to test and evaluate the issues that the profession has expressed concerns about. The deal will also mean that patients may not be forced to change GP surgery if they move locally. This will save up to three million people who move locally every year the hassle of re-registering as they can remain with the practice of their choice." A source from Cascade, have said “This scheme is great for patients, GP’s and for the NHS, I can see the scheme producing better care for patients. In the current economic situation and with Doctor’s agreeing to a pay-freeze for 2012 and 2013 this should hopefully see positive financial results as well.”
Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk