More patients are set to receive care closer to home as the government confirms the expansion of a GP scheme to shift care from the hospital to the community.

The scheme, ‘Advice and Guidance’, will have GPs working more closely with hospital specialists to access advice quickly, and making sure patients get the right care as soon as possible.

£80 million is going to go towards the expansion of this service, which offers communication between hospital professionals and GPs before patients are on the waiting lists for elective care, making sure that they are on the right lists for the right treatment.

From April, GP practices can claim of revery request raised using the scheme in recognition of their vital role in helping to deliver the shift from hospital to community. The expansion of this scheme aims to standardise its use across the country, ensuring it is used consistently.

Patients who will particularly benefit from the expansion include women seeking gynaecological care, especially those who are looking for hormonal treatment for menopause, as well as patients with ear, nose and throat (ENT) issues, 30 per cent of ENT referrals currently include many conditions that can be treated out of hospitals, such as tinnitus, ear wax removal, and simple ear infections.

Ruth Rankine, director of primary care at the NHS Confederation, said: “Advice and Guidance, if implemented effectively, can support improved patient care, streamlined referrals processes, and efficient use of resources. It can give the patient and their GP more control over their treatment options and support care closer to home.

“For many conditions, we know that hospital treatment isn’t the best option so this measure will support a greater drive to provision of out of hospital services in line with the government’s prioritises, and deliver more investment in primary and community services to provide more cost-effective support to patients.”