First reported 8 Aug 2013•Latest report 20 Apr 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of GP access and referral arrangements, including unclear access policies, inadequate instructions for making referrals, and other dedicated controls that leave patients or practices unable to identify or use the appropriate GP-related pathway.
Not included
Excludes failures in specialist or mental-health referral pathways where the GP access or referral process is not itself deficient.
Excludes generic communication, training, staffing or governance deficiencies unless they directly impair GP access or referral arrangements.
Excludes failures in clinical assessment or treatment after a patient has successfully accessed the appropriate GP or referral pathway.
Excludes neutral descriptions of GP services or referral destinations without an identified unsafe access or pathway condition.
Reports
17
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
19
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
28
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care3
NHS England2
Black Country Family Practice1
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust1
Family of Richard Parkes1
Fountain Medical Centre1
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust1
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust1
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust1
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board1
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board1
NHS Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group1
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board1
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board1
NHS trust9
Integrated care board5
Healthcare site4
Ministerial department3
Executive non-departmental public body2
Independent healthcare provider2
Multi-service care provider2
Type not available2
Clinical commissioning group1
Health professional body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns raised2
Failure to direct screening referrals to the vascular screening team
Uncertainty within general practice about the screening programme and referral criteria
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Operate a system for redirecting incorrectly assigned imaging referrals and notifying referrers of the action and any required follow-up.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Inform GPs through the monthly newsletter about referral procedures for the Screening Programme.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Deliver rolling Vascular Service awareness sessions for GPs through Protected Learning Time events.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Add AAA patient referral pathways to the PRISM referral-guidance system in collaboration with Primary Care colleagues.
Stated by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Complete and share a significant event analysis on AAA referral and screening learning.
Stated by The Glenfield SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Disseminate the significant event analysis to the South Leicestershire locality GP group.
Stated by The Glenfield SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Action
Include AAA referral and screening learning in the Leicestershire LMC newsletter.
Stated by The Glenfield SurgeryStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 August 2017.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Failure to assess the risks of excluding patients who are late for appointments on a case-by-case basis
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide advance, clear and specific notice of GP surgery closures
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Send a joint letter to Leeds practices reminding them of obligations for safe cover and clear urgent-care communications during training closures.
Stated by NHS Leeds West Clinical Commissioning GroupStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 June 2014.
Action
Make a statement at a centrally organised TARGET event in each Leeds CCG reiterating obligations and recommendations for safe access during training closures.
Stated by NHS Leeds West Clinical Commissioning GroupStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 June 2014.
Manchester North
Concerns raised2
Unavailability of direct referral to in-house community-based psychiatrists for new patients
Restrictions on cross-Clinical Commissioning Group referrals without special approval
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Enable mental health patients to choose any clinically appropriate provider for their first outpatient appointment, subject to stated exemptions.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 March 2014.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local mental-health access arrangements, including single-point entry, triage and bureaucracy, are for the relevant CCG and Pennine Care Foundation Trust.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Unclear policy for access to GP services
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Sunderland
Concerns raised1
Limitations on GPs making direct referrals for admission to a place of safety
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Lincolnshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of awareness among seasonal agricultural workers of how to access GP services
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures of GP access and referral arrangements, including unclear access policies, inadequate instructions for making referrals, and other dedicated controls that leave patients or practices unable to identify or use the appropriate GP-related pathway.
