'Patients at risk if out-of-hours review ignores GPs’ concerns', warns MPS Post date: 20/05/2013 | Time to read article: 1 mins The information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 14/11/2018 Commenting on the news that Jeremy Hunt wants to place responsibility for round-the-clock care back in the hands of GPs, Nick Clements, Head of Medical Services for the Medical Protection Society said, 'The fictional world of Doc Martin is a long way from the reality of modern practice. The village doctor working all hours is simply unsustainable in many surgeries, which are struggling to cope under huge pressures, exacerbated by increasingly bureaucratic processes that divert resources away from patient care. Any Government-led review of General Practice and out-of-hours care must be comprehensive, evidence-based and properly trialled. It cannot afford to cut corners. To get a real picture of what is happening at the heart of healthcare and for any chance for it to succeed, doctors need to be fully involved and engaged with the process. A review is necessary and timely, but we are concerned that a new layer of regulation and inspection will result in an increased administrative burden, and by the suggestion of some sort of return to the unsustainable system of old, where doctors were working excessive hours as they struggled to maintain quality care around the clock. Identifying and preventing risk to doctors and patients is at the heart of our business. We are concerned that there may be serious repercussions if these plans are pushed through without due consideration. Government must listen to GPs and the rest of the profession, who are concerned for the safety and care of their patients.' More information For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Elizabeth Bananuka, Media Relations Manager, on 020 7399 1428 or email [email protected] Share this article Share Tweet