Innovation in primary care: time to remove the barriers

Edin lakasing and Zul Mirza call for greater commitment to the development of innovative primary care services The latest reconfguration of the NHS, with the demise of primary care trusts and their replacement by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), should in theory have the advantage of greater clinical engagement. Over a year since their implementation, however, the state of primary care is no better, and there must be concern about the power, priorities and strategic direction of CCGs. A major concern within the NHS is the rising attendances at emergency departments, and the concept of a named GP for the over-75s,