Provision of Primary Care Out of Hours Services in Gloucestershire

About

Gloucestershire Health Authority awarded a contract to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for the provision of primary care out of hours services in Gloucestershire.

The service provides urgent primary care for patients who cannot wait until in-hours services resume, including face-to-face consultations at treatment centres or in patients' homes, and telephone assessment and advice supporting NHS 111.

It establishes a local patient care pathway integrating with major healthcare, social care, and voluntary sector providers.

The service offers proactive care for patients identified by in-hours GPs, Integrated Care Teams, Care Homes, or Paediatric Specialists requiring follow-up or home visits to avoid hospital admission, and provides urgent medical cover to inpatients in community hospitals.

It delivers enhanced clinical advice to patients and healthcare professionals, including paramedics, via telephone support, and supports care closer to home by liaising with other services for alternative pathways.

Working protocols enable seamless transfer of care to more specialist providers when needed, and the service maximizes skill-mix to provide appropriate care in safe and secure environments that support privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and individuality.

The contract value is £20,681,826.