GP referrals system may be creating a 'hidden' patient backlog of patients needing treatment
A reduction in the number of GP referrals to hospitals could be creating a "hidden backlog" of patients needing help, according to a new report.
The study by the Institute for Government (IFG) and Public First says that not enough data is published about the "advice and guidance" referral system.
Family doctors have been told to reduce the number of people they refer for hospital care by using the 'advice and guidance' route – whereby a GP will call or email a hospital doctor to ask for advice on whether or not a referral is required.
The method has been used since 2015 but NHS England introduced a target for GPs to have 12 "advice and guidance" patients for every 100 outpatient appointments in October 2021 in an attempt to reduce the backlog of hospital care. This has now increased to 16 but it has been reported that as many as 22 out of 100 potential hospital appointments are being handled this way.
The IFG and Public First report states: "There is a risk that GPs making fewer referrals – in part to address hospital capacity concerns – is creating a 'hidden backlog' by allowing treatable conditions to deteriorate and possibly leading to more unplanned admissions."
Source: Medscape, 14 June 2023