Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Toolkit - Achieving and sustaining 24/48 hour access to primary care

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

Support for PCTs to achieve the 24/48 hour access target locally.

About this toolkit

The aim of this toolkit is to provide support to PCTs to achieve the 24/48 hour access target locally. It provides:

  • an update on definitions within the target, monitoring and resources
  • a best practice  PCT Action Plan template
  • a range of options to improve access including The National Primary Care Development Team's (NPDT) Advanced Access model and other initiatives including NHS Walk-in centres and pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes.

Who might find it useful?

SHAs and PCTs will find this toolkit useful, as the 24/48 hour target is one of the nine key Government delivery targets. In 2002/03 progress towards this target contributed towards PCT star ratings.

This toolkit will also be of interest to primary and community care organisations who are looking for new ways of working to improve access for patients. The range of suggested options is not exhaustive or exclusive - the intention is to share some of the strategic approaches that are already being successfully adopted across the NHS.

What does the toolkit cover?

Access keys