Box 4.

Key access goals for the NHS [20]

Targets:	– Maximum wait for outpatient appointments to fall to three months and for inpatient treatment to fall to six months by 2005
	– Two-thirds of all outpatient appointments and inpatient elective admissions to be pre-booked by 2003/4 aiming for 100% by 2005
	– Guaranteed access to a primary care professional within 24 hours and to a primary care doctor within 48 hours by 2004
Mechanisms:	– NHS Direct – telephone and internet health care advice
	– Booked admissions for elective care
	– Walk-in centres and one-stop health care clinics
	– New primary health care ‘teams’
	– Personal Medical Services