The ongoing modernisation of Out-of-Hours services continues, with the implementation of the Carson Report, Reforming Emergency Care and the new GMS contract all resulting in changes in the way GP coops and other Out-of-Hours providers will need to function. There will be new roles for them and opportunities to evolve as clinical service providers.

For this reason the Department together with the National Association of GP Co-ops (NAGPC) are collaboratively working on an Out-of-Hours Provider Development Project. The project will explore how Out-of-Hours providers might best evolve into organisations capable of designing, implementing and managing new methods of clinical service.

The initial phase has been completed and has outlined a range of options that include, organisational, legal and financial frameworks. A project board has been established, and work is underway to identify four pilot sites to test the developing models

The aim of the project is to publish its outcomes in the summer.