Burnham to allow patients "choice of GP".

Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, offered a "free choice of GP"

to patients today. Patients will now be able to register with any GP

practice in the country, whether it is close to home, close to work or

simply because they like the GP.

Current rules dictate that patients must live within the practice

boundary, which is generally larger in rural areas. These rules have

created a number of problems, especially for commuters.

In a speech to the King's Fund, Mr Burnham announced that he will

abolish GP practice boundaries "within a year". He also proposed

more controversial plans to prevent NHS Trusts "being paid for poor

treatment" and to reward Trusts according to "levels of patient

satisfaction" - which in our view could be easily manipulated.

The BMA responded to Mr Burnham's proposals by stating that,

despite previous dialogue on increasing patient choice, little

progress had been made and "no workable solution had emerged".

The BMA's Dr Laurence Buckman said "It sounds superficially attractive but it is very difficult to see how it could work. We support patient choice [but] it has [previously] foundered on operational issues."

Dr Buckman also expressed concerns that increased choice "costs a lot of money" and that "you end up extending choice for some and de-stabilising it for others. This really could damage suburban practices. It is a very complicated issue and not suited to political slogans."

This is of course true. But it is not in itself a reason for rejecting the proposal. In recent years the government has offered patients increased "choice" in care provision - the difference with this is that it is a genuine choice being offered. Patient groups are very supportive of a move and lack of access to GPs is one of the major complaints from NHS patients. A survey in Which in August suggested that almost 40% of people would be interested in accessing GP services near where they work, or in supermarkets and pharmacies.

Other concerns patients have expressed about accessing GPs include opening hours and difficulties in making appointments - concerns that may be alleviated under the new plans.

  Click here to read the NHS Improvement Society's view