Hillingdon Council is reviewing its GP services in anticipation of a growing population and an ageing GP workforce, according to a recent cabinet meeting.

The need for the review was highlighted in a report from the Health & Social Care Select Committee on GP coverage in Hillingdon, which the cabinet welcomed and agreed to act upon. The committee noted the importance of planning for future GP provision, given the borough's growing population and the increasing age of GPs in the area.

Councillor Nick Denys, Chair of the Health & Social Care Select Committee, presented the report, emphasising the importance of planning for future GP provision. The committee's recommendations included:

  • Identifying where GP surgeries are likely to be needed by 2035, in collaboration between the GP Confederation and the Council, drawing on the Council's knowledge of local development.
  • Simplifying data governance to improve patient care. The committee highlighted that patients expect a seamless experience, but the current fragmentation of systems often results in repeated information and inefficiencies. Better integration would allow professionals to access relevant data promptly and improve patient care.
  • Raising awareness about community-based services, such as neighbourhood hubs and pharmacy services, to reduce unnecessary demand on GPs and A&E departments.
  • Improving access to online booking systems.

The council has agreed to:

  • Work with partners to identify where GP surgeries are likely to be needed by 2035.
  • Ask the Health and Wellbeing Board partners to investigate a reduction in the complexity and quantity of data governance and IT systems to enable easier sharing of patient data, expand the provision of champions to other health-related issues, and increase awareness of changing community care services.
  • Ask the Confederation Hillingdon CIC to investigate increasing patients' use of online booking systems and ensure equality regarding the ability to request to be seen by same-sex medical professionals at GP surgeries.
  • Provide the Health and Social Care Select Committee with an update by March 2027 on progress made in implementing these recommendations, alongside the implementation of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the development of neighbourhoods.
  • Regularly monitor actions to progress all recommendations at Health & Wellbeing Board meetings and add them to its work programme.

Councillor Ian Edwards, Leader of the Council, thanked the committee for its thorough work and clear recommendations, noting the alignment between the committee's findings and ongoing discussions with health partners. He also acknowledged the vital role of scrutiny in shaping services and assured the committee that progress would continue.