Improving access to general practice for people with multiple disadvantage

In this episode, we talk to Dr Lucy Potter, a GP and a doctoral research fellow based at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol.Title of paper: Improving access to general practice for and with people with severe and multiple disadvantageAvailable at: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2023.0244This study builds on previous work showing that continuity of care, being able to develop a trusting relationship and being proactive are of particular importance in providing care to highly people with SMD(3-7). This work describes co-designed strategies including prioritising patients on an inclusion patient list with more flexible access, continuity from a care coordinator and micro-team, and an information sharing tool, in addition to rich contextual information on how to shift ways of working to achieve this. These co-designed strategies are practical examples of proportionate universalism in general practice, where resources are prioritised to those most in need. They could be adapted and piloted in other practices and areas and may also offer promise in improving inclusion of other marginalised groups. Investing in this focused way of working may improve healthcare accessibility, health equity and staff wellbeing.