GP Access to Community Diagnostics Scheme: an External Evaluation
An independent assessment of the General Practitioner Access to Community Diagnostic (GPACD) scheme gathered insights from a wide range of stakeholders, including patients, patient advocates, general practitioners (GPs), radiologists, and specialist consultants.
Overall, the scheme has significantly improved timely access to diagnostic imaging for public patients, particularly MRI scans. By enabling imaging before specialist appointments, the scheme has helped reduce waiting times, improve referral quality, and support earlier diagnosis and more effective clinical management. Both interviews and surveys suggest that patients are typically receiving scan results within weeks to months, representing a notable improvement in access to diagnostics, especially for patients in underserved or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
While GPs and patients expressed strong support for the scheme, other stakeholders working within public hospitals highlighted broader system challenges. These include capacity constraints in public hospitals that can delay follow up scans and specialist consultations, as well as concerns about scan quality and the limited integration of private provider reports into national imaging systems. In some cases, these issues contribute to communication gaps, repeated scans, and additional anxiety for patients.
Stakeholders also raised equity concerns. Patients with limited English proficiency, lower levels of digital access, or those living in rural areas may face additional barriers when navigating the scheme. GPs further noted that while the scheme has improved access to diagnostics, it has also increased workload in primary care, particularly in interpreting complex scan reports and managing follow-up care.
Looking ahead, stakeholders emphasised the importance of strengthening governance, improving integration between private providers and public systems, and investing in public diagnostic infrastructure. These steps will be essential to ensure that the scheme remains sustainable, equitable, and capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
