The July 2007 GP Access Survey results highlighted that practices in the NHS West Midlands area are offering patients access to a GP within 48 hours for 86% of the time, which was the same as the national average.

South Birmingham PCT recognised that in some GP practices the results were below the average and wanted to work with these practices to focus on improving access across the PCT.

The PCT approached the Improvement Foundation's West Midlands Centre to provide a series of half day learning workshops for practice managers and practice staff.

A workshop was devised to cover the four components of the GP survey and give examples of how practices could improve access. Delegates were given practical examples of practice plans and examples of best practice for many of the common scenarios. The PCT also asked a local practice manager to share her practice's experiences.

The delegates found the information presented at the workshops informative and relevant to their work. Follow up visits to practices by the Improvement Foundation and the PCT were arranged on request to provide individual assistance.