In 2014, the prime minister announced a new challenge fund to help improve access to general practice and stimulate innovative ways of providing primary care services. Across two waves, 57 pilots, covering over 2,500 practices, were chosen to test these new methods.

Find out more about the prime minister’s GP access fund

 What is happening in the East of England?

The Care UK Superpractice

Two practices in North Colchester and Clapham Junction are offering 12,000 patients the facility to access services by phone 24/7, using a single point of contact.

Community Primary Care HUB Clinics
15 practices within the area of Basildon and Brentwood CCG are working together to deliver access seven days a week 8am-8pm through multiple community-based primary care HUB clinics.

West Essex 7 Day Primary Care Innovation and Integration Project
This pilot works across 38 GP practices and aims to improve primary care access for the population of West Essex CCG with a special focus on those patients at risk of A&E attendances and unplanned admissions.

Transformational Innovations for Primary Care in West Hertfordshire – Watford Care Alliance
In West Hertfordshire, 115,000 patients across 15 practices can access GP appointments up to 8pm, seven days a week, giving an additional 12,000 GP appointments a year.

Primary Care Transformation Programme Peterborough

The 30 practices in this pilot will group into hubs serving populations between 50 to 80,000 patients. The new system will offer extended and more innovative access to a patient population of 252,638 using latest technologies to support effective collaborative working between practices, community and hospital health and teams.

Working Together to Transform Primary Care in Ipswich
This pilot will offer patients from 40 practices with 390,000 registered patients, improved access to appointments in the evenings and weekends from 6.30pm-9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-9pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

 What is happening in the East Midlands?

Transforming General Practice in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
This pilot offers benefits to 1.2 million patients from 150 practices. It offers extended hours in centrally located hubs, seven days a week; patients access services via hubs in the area. There are new ways to access consultations: by phone, email, video; and telecare to help people to better manage conditions at home.

For more information see the Transforming General Practice in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire presentation

Improving and integrating access in primary care in Leicester delivered through locality hubs
Practices in Leicester City are building a new environment for primary care provision based around four healthcare hubs situated within identified Health Need Neighbourhoods (HNNs). Local providers will collaborate with regards to signposting and co-ordination of services at these hubs.

Regional Voices champions the work of voluntary and community organisations to improve health, well-being and care, across 
England. Regional Voices is a partnership of nine regional networks. Together, we directly connect to over 25,000 voluntary and community organisations. Our coverage is broad, deep and well-established. Our vision is for a society where voluntary and community organisations are connected with decision-makers at all levels, able to influence policy and improve community health, care and well-being through better services.