Continuity of care

Continuity of care contributes importantly to patient experience, whether it's continuity of a relationship, by seeing the same GP, or management continuity, that coordinates an individual’s care across the wider health care system. However, continuity is not monitored or incentivised in the same way as other aspects of good practice.

What did we explore?

To inform its work, the Inquiry panel commissioned a research project to examine good practice in relation to continuity of care and to assess whether, and how, this might be measured. Continuity of care and the patient experience (1756 kb) [pdf] explores patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives on this aspect of general practice, and considers how GPs can stimulate and maintain continuity of care. The paper’s authors are George Freeman, Emeritus Professor of General Practice, Imperial College London, and Jane Hughes, an independent researcher.

Read the research paper (1756 kb) [pdf] and leave your comments below.

What have we learnt about continuity of care?

In February 2010 the Inquiry held a seminar on continuity of care with participants including GPs, practice nurses, NHS executives, health academics and patient representatives.

Key issues raised in discussion include:

  • Whether practices should actively encourage patients to see the same GP.
  • The need for greater continuity of care across out-of-hours services.
  • Whether certain patients, such as those with long-term conditions and multiple health problems, have a greater need for continuity of care.

What's your view?

We’d like to get your views on how important you think continuity of care is to good-quality care in general practice. What do you feel about the key issues that have been raised as a result of the work we have commissioned? Should continuity be a priority? And do you think there are key points that have been overlooked in the debate? Your comments will help to inform the Inquiry’s final report.

Please share your views with us, and others, by leaving a comment below. However, if you’d prefer to comment privately please email gpinquiry@kingsfund.org.uk

Your comments

  • Continuity frontstage (face to face) and back stage (Records) is key to good health care.
    A proactive GP who addresses all problems presented by the patient and detected by the GP is crucial.
    A professional GP who reflects on their own practice and improves their own practice using constructive feedback, a local knowledge database such as LLAMA (Local linked addressed management and advice) and national experience and educational resources is at the core.
    Mark Rickenbach

    Mark Rickenbach - Associate Dean and GP, Wessex Deanery and Park Surgery
    09 Jul 10

  • The Continuity Paper by George Freeman and Jane Hughes is a very useful summary. I am looking at measures of continuity and feel there the next step is to measure continuity for each new presentation as well as overall. Part of quality is also to consider a measure of proactivity. Does the doctor deal with all the possible issues for that patient over time or just the presenting issue

    Mark Rickenbach FRCP FRCGP PhD FHEA
    Associate Dean Wessex Deanery
    Research Fellow Winchester University
    GP Trainer Park Surgery

    Mark Rickenbach - Associate Dean and GP, Wessex Deanery and Park Surgery
    09 Jul 10

  • Thanks for this Mark, we will be very interested to hear of your experience with measures of continuity.

    George Freeman - lead author
    29 Jul 10

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Inquiry into the quality of general practice in England

Download the research paper