The Health service journal
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Faced with the retirement of many of its practice nurses, a primary care trust undertook a review and decided to employ healthcare assistants in general practice. HCAs undertake tasks previously performed by practice nurses. ⋯ All practices in the PCT provide nurse appointments and 59 per cent of them can offer an appointment within 24 hours. More than a quarter of practices in the PCT are now interested in taking part in the scheme.
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A system of assessing cancer care in general practice has been well received by practice teams. The most common problems concern development of a cancer register, communication with hospitals and lack of written information for patients. Greatest progress has been made when the primary care organisation has produced a development plan.