Hunt set to launch a series of reforms to GP service
Jeremy Hunt will say that every patient should have a doctor who is responsible for their care 24/7 when he announces reforms to GP service.
Health Secretary to announce Out of Hours shake-up
A&Es are getting 'closer to the cliff edge' as ITV News has learned the Health Secretary is to unveil major reforms of Out of Hours care.
Hunt admits more A&E staff 'definitely needed'
The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has told ITV News that more staff are needed to cope with demand in A&E departments across the country.
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Dr Hilary: We've 'lost faith' in the family doctor
Daybreak's Health Editor Dr Hilary said that people have "lost faith in the family doctor service".
He said: "A&E departments are overloaded by the kind of things that should be sorted out in general practice, the problem is the work the general practice gave up in the 2004 contract negotiated with the Labour Government was a disaster for out of hours care."
GPs to face new Chief Inspector
Family doctors will face a tough new inspection regime under plans announced by Jeremy Hunt.The Health Secretary will put forward proposals to introduce a Chief Inspector of General Practice.
The new chief inspector will devise and implement a new system so GP practices will be given ratings, such as those used by the schools inspector Ofsted, and will champion patients' interests, officials said.
Speaking on Thursday at a leadership summit held by think-tank The King's Fund, Mr Hunt will divulge plans to implement the "rigorous system of inspection" to ensure that GP practices are providing "effective and responsive care", a Department of Health spokeswoman said.
Mr Hunt will also embellish on plans to provide one-to-one care for elderly patients.
He will say that getting care can be "confusing", especially for older people who need more than one service.
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Health Secretary to announce Out of Hours shake-up
A&Es are getting 'closer to the cliff edge' as ITV News has learned the Health Secretary is to unveil major reforms of Out of Hours care.
Read the full storyHealth Secretary to announce out-of-hours care reform
ITV News has learned the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to unveil major reforms of the out-of-hours care and the return to the days of the family doctor. But already tonight there's criticism that another round of reforms won't solve funding problems in the health service:
Medical Editor Lawrence McGinty reports:
Planned shake-up of GP patient care
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce on Thursday a major shake-up of GP care, in an attempt to revive the idea of the "family GP". The key proposals include:
- Patients should have a named individual - usually a GP - responsible for care 24/7
- Red tape hindering GPs will be reduced
- There will be a new Chief Inspector of General Practice to ensure focus on patient care
GPs to be made 'responsible' for out of hours care
Family GPs are to be made "responsible" for out-of-hours care in a shake-up of the NHS, ITV News can reveal.
Leaked accounts of Jeremy Hunt's keynote speech - planned for Thursday - show the Health Secretary wants to return to the days of the 'family doctor' with each patient having one GP in charge of their care.
In the speech, it is believed Hunt will outline major reforms to GP practice and especially to out of hours care - to put right faults he thinks have led to the current crisis in emergency department. GPs will not necessarily have to deliver the care but will be made accountable
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Hunt backs PM's gay marriage stance despite opposition
The Health Secretary has said he backed gay marriage today after Tory activists attacked David Cameron's stance on the issue.
Jeremy Hunt told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "I personally support it, I support it because I believe in the institution of marriage and I think we should be encouraging people to make a lifelong commitment to each other. I think society is stronger if you do that.
"I think if gay people want to do that and if the church is willing to conduct that ceremony we shouldn't stand in their way."
He added: "It's one of those issues of conscience that is not really about party, I think there are people of all parties that find this a very difficult issue. But I think it is one we are right to surface and to have a proper debate about."
Jeremy Hunt casts doubt on 'loon' comments
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he does not believe that someone close to the Prime Minister made the "swivel-eyed loons" comment.
Speakign on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, he said that party activists are "in tune" with the views of British voters and that their input was "incredibly important to the DNA of the policies that we are putting into place".
Hunt: Lord Howe's view does not 'represent the reality'
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that Lord Howe's portrayal of the Prime Minister losing control of the Conservative Party does not "represent the reality".
He told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show that the Conservative party is "absolutely united" behind the desire to change Britain's relationship with the EU.
Hunt admits more A&E staff 'definitely needed'
The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has told ITV News that more staff are needed to cope with demand in A&E departments across the country.
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