The General Practitioner Access to Community Diagnostics (GPACD) Scheme has seen a significant increase in demand, with over 700,000 radiology scans completed since its launch. The budget for the scheme has also increased to support its continued provision. The initiative allows GPs to refer patients directly for diagnostic scans such as X-ray, DXA, CT, and MRI at no cost to the patient. This has led to faster access to necessary procedures, reduced the need for hospital referrals, and improved patient experience. Studies have shown that the majority of patients are being seen within a month for scans, compared to the previous system of referrals to hospital consultants or private payments.
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GP scheme sees 700,000 scans completed
