All talk and no continuity action

In his editorial, Euan Lawson seeks ‘political drive to prioritise continuity’. Continuity of personal care in general practice has been eroded over many years for multiple reasons, whether patient/GP, patient/nurse, or other professional. We now have a situation where many practising GPs have never experienced significant continuity of patient care (even if their patients previously have), haven’t experienced its benefits, and feel unable to facilitate it.

Continuity of the clinical record is an inadequate substitute for continuity of personal clinical care, whether for an episode of illness, or over a longer period.

Personal continuity can only occur with a carefully planned, structured, and appropriately used appointment system. The leadership to achieve this must be delivered at the practice level, and, if a partnership, partners are key.

For continuity of personal care not to be lost entirely, our profession needs to take responsibility, not await politically-generated incentives.