Recommendation 20

We are extremely concerned about declining provision of continuity of care in general practice. We recognise the enormous pressure that GP services are under but it is unacceptable that one of the defining standards of general practice has been allowed to erode in this way. While we recognise the importance of continuity of information and accountability, and the important role that other professionals can play in providing continuity, we believe the ongoing relationship between a GP and their patients is uniquely important. The Government and NHS leaders have not paid sufficient attention to continuity of care or prioritised it effectively in national policy, which has hastened its decline.