Abstract
We report an analysis of the qualitative phase of a study of patients' and carers' views of primary care services, focusing on their experiences of access to face-to-face general practitioner (GP) consultations during the period when new access policies were being implemented. Practices interpreted the new policy in various ways; restricted interpretations, including restriction of access to telephone booking, could cause distress to patients. Patients and carers welcomed flexible interpretations of the policy that offered choice, such as a choice of GP, or of booking in advance.
- Received December 19, 2003.
- Revision received March 11, 2004.
- Accepted March 31, 2004.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2004.