What the role is of NHS Lanarkshire in monitoring whether patients are obtaining a GP appointment within 48 hours.

For years 2006-07 and 2007-08, the 48 hour access requirements were laid down in the specifications of a Directed Enhanced Service (DES) for NHS boards as part of the nationally negotiated GP contract arrangements. The requirements of the DES were monitored by all health boards on a quarterly basis which required practices to formally declare that they met the requirements of the DES.
In addition to monitoring the requirements of the DES, health boards can deploy a variety of methods to support the monitoring process such as local GP contract reviews, Quality and Outcome Framework Review visits which often include a review of practices ability to meet the 48 hour access requirements, and the pre-payment verification process.
Where there is evidence indicating that a practice had not met the requirements of the DES, the health board should visit the practice to offer support and guidance to re-establish appropriate 48 hour access for patients.
From 1 April 2008, measurement and reward for delivery of 48 hour access will be based on a new annual GP Access Survey. Crucially this will mean that future payment to practices will be determined by patient views, rather than the previous self-reporting arrangements.