GP surgeries across Wales are feeling the pinch, with new government requirements and financial strains hitting hard. Last week, 86% of BMA Wales members rejected the proposed 2024/25 GP contract, arguing that it adds too many burdens without enough support. Meanwhile, a staggering 80% of Welsh GPs are now worried about their practices’ financial survival. In this climate, practices need more than just new rules — they need practical tools that make meeting these requirements manageable and cost-effective. This is where digital platforms can step in to make a real difference.
The growing pressure on GPs
The GMS Access Commitment 2024/25, aimed at improving patient access to services, has raised the bar for GP surgeries across Wales. But these new standards come with significant challenges. Practices are now expected to offer better call management, maintain transparent public dashboards, and engage with patients more frequently. They also need to avoid the dreaded 8am phone rush by offering appointments at varied times throughout the day, and must regularly report on their progress. For many GP staff, this all means extra time, extra costs, and a heavier workload on already stretched staff.
These requirements add up fast. While intended to improve patient experience, the reality for many practices is an increase in administrative demands that they may not have the resources to handle. With so many Welsh GPs questioning their practice’s financial viability, the pressure to balance patient care, compliance, and budget is growing.
Here’s how Accurx has proven to ease the burden
In this challenging environment, Accurx offers GP surgeries in Wales a straightforward, effective way to meet these new standards without overwhelming their staff or budgets. Here’s how:
1. Improving patient access
Accurx alleviates phone line congestion at common bottleneck areas of the patient flow. Self-booking links allow appointments to be sent and scheduled via SMS, remotely or face-to-face. Two-way SMS allows patients to quickly respond with either free text, a photo or attachment, and questionnaires can be sent to qualify if an appointment is needed altogether. Each practice is estimated to save up to five hours weekly, and approximately 2,000 additional appointments annually, through replacing traditional contact points with two-way messaging.
2. Simplified patient communication and engagement
Accurx makes it easy to share updates, send reminders, and offer non-urgent communication channels, so patients feel informed without needing to call in repeatedly. This keeps patients in the loop, aligns with the new standards, and improves the overall patient experience by meeting their needs proactively.
3. Meeting reporting and compliance needs
With the Access Commitment mandating regular reports and public dashboards, Accurx’s tools streamline reporting and feedback collection. Practices can generate the necessary metrics and insights without adding to their administrative burden, helping them stay compliant without extra hassle.
4. Supporting financial viability
By letting patients handle both urgent and non-urgent requests online, Accurx reduces demand on practice staff, saving valuable time and resources. In a financial climate where Welsh GPs worry about sustainability, this added efficiency can make a tangible difference by lowering operational costs and helping practices focus on quality patient care. Time Savings per Health Board results in an average of £7 saved per patient per year when Accurx is adopted across the region, equating to a 10x potential ROI.
Moving forward with practical solutions
In times like these, when GP surgeries are being asked to do more with less, the right digital tools can be game-changers. Accurx is designed to help practices meet today’s high standards without stretching their budgets or burning out their teams. With our focus on simplifying communication, improving access, and easing administrative loads, Accurx supports Welsh GPs in not only staying compliant but also keeping their practices sustainable and patient-centred.
Ready to make a change?
Discover how Accurx can support your practice today by reaching out directly to our Business Development Manager for Wales, Oliver Goodenough, at oliver.goodenough@accurx.com, or scheduling a convenient time for a chat here. Let’s explore how digital solutions can make a difference for your team and patients!