GP Group Appointments
In recent years, the number of GP appointments has risen by 13%, but GP numbers are up by less than 5%. This is putting huge pressure on the traditional one-to-one 10-minute appointment. So, some practices are trialling a new way of seeing your doctor – the group consultation. Instead of seeing the doctor in a private room for 10 minutes, patients get around 1.5 hours with their GP, but will have to share the appointment with other people. The aim is to free up GPs’ time but also to give patients more information about their condition as they learn from the doctor and each other.
Trust Me I’m a Doctor presenter and GP Zoe Williams went along to view a group consultation at a practice near hers in south London. Seven patients were taking part in this consultation – but as many as 15 can attend.
This particular consultation was for people with pre-diabetes or issues with their weight. It began with a doctor’s assistant – called a facilitator – collecting the patients’ measurements and a list of questions they want to ask. She then wrote their test results - including body mass index (BMI), body measurements and blood pressure - on a board in the room.
When Dr Alex Maxwell, who was leading the session, arrived approximately 20 mins later they openly discussed these results. They also spoke about sensitive issues such as problems with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and their relationship with food.
At the end of the session, the patients welcomed the extended time they had with the GP and told Zoe that the group setting had not put them off talking about their personal issues.
GP Emily Symington, from NHS Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, reassured Zoe that there are measures in place to ensure that sensitive information shared in the group is not discussed outside it. All the patients attending have to sign confidentiality agreements.
When asked whether this type of consultation might one day replace one-to-one private consultations, Emily explained that this is not the aim. She told Zoe that group consultations are for patients who already have a diagnosis and can benefit from sharing information, and that no-one will ever receive a diagnosis in a group setting. She added that patients who attend group consultations can still request and receive a one-to-one appointment.
NHS England Group Consultation FAQs
