GP Surgeries to be open 24 hours

This newly created GP Access fund could be exactly what we have been calling for as young people for a while now. These new reforms would see "patients at 1,147 GP practices across England will be able to see their family doctor outside normal working hours, including late-night and weekend appointments or use one of the modern consultation 
tools for convenience."  The modern consultation tools that would be used "Skype, email and phone".  

In regards to GP services this is one of the major solutions we have been proffering, in the first instance, having 24 hour surgeries and ability to contact our GP would mean that we as young people are more likely to use our GPs as our first port of call if there was something wrong. Therefore, putting less strain on A&E services. Also the use of modern consultative tools is something which should have implemented earlier but we are glad to see the push in the right direction. In utilising modern tools, GPs are more likely to get interaction from their patients and bonds and trust being built being these two key stakeholders.   

Personally, I have never had good relations with my GP. I would always opt for going to A&E than to go see my GP. My parents see our GP more than I do. This is because in the first instance, it is the most difficult thing in order to get an appointment with my GP. While I am able to see a GP at my surgery, I am unable to see MY GP. Therefore, the continuity of care was never there. This meant that every time I went to see a GP, I had to reiterate what was the issue and matter with me and explain the nuances with my condition. However, this new reform could change that, as with the increased time the surgeries would be open for, it would give  more appointment slots with our GPs therefore, a chance for continuity of care and a chance to even get an appointment would increase. Secondly, I have experienced times whereby my GP, when I do get an appointment with them, would rather send me to A&E than to treat me themselves. As they know I have another medical condition in which they are unfamiliar with, they would rather not prescribe or do something, in fear that it may interfere with my other treatment. On the positive side, if I was able to go see MY GP more, than it would allow a relationship to build and provide a chance for them to get to know my condition more and therefore, giving them a chance to build up confidence in treating me. This would be further enhanced through the multitude of ways being proposed in order to get in contact with your GP. This would mean that you can still be in touch and 'see' your GP without actually going to their surgery.

I think this is a really exciting development and I personally will be following this, to see how the government follows through with this, as I can see this having a lot of positive impacts. 

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/13/gps-surgeries-open-all-hours-50m-pound-reform