Inquiry into the quality of general practice: health inequalities

General practice potentially has a key role in addressing the big disparities in health and life expectancy still found across sections of the population. Therefore we should ask whether the same level of quality of care is provided by general practices to all members and sub-groups of a practice population, or whether some types of patient are treated differently.

What did we explore?

To inform its work, the Inquiry panel commissioned a research project to examine whether there are hidden inequalities in access or treatment, and how this might be measured. The project also assessed the role of general practice in reducing inequalities in their local community. Tackling inequalities in general practice explores evidence of different patient experiences, for example, by class, age, gender or type of condition. The paper's lead authors are Patrick Hutt, GP and Clinical Associate, Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, and Stuart Gillmore, Research Fellow, The King's Fund.

What have we learnt about GPs and inequalities?

In March 2010 the Inquiry held a seminar on inequalities with participants including GPs, practice nurses, NHS executives, health academics and patient representatives.

Key issues raised in discussion include:

• What measures would enable general practice to be more proactive in identifying population sub-groups who are not seeking care or not being referred?

• How can primary care trusts facilitate greater interaction between general practice and other public services for a more 'holistic' approach to reducing health inequalities?

• Are child health and prevention the key to addressing inequalities?