The reasons for, and lessons learnedfrom, the closure of the Canterbury GPAfter-Hours Service

Abstract

This paper describes a trial of the Canterbury GP After-Hours Service (CGPAHS), a GP staffed after-hours servicewithin the Canterbury Hospital Emergency Department. It was decided not to continue the service beyond the twelve-monthtrial phase because the opportunity cost to do this was greater than existing alternative services.The efficiency of the service might have been improved had greater numbers of patients been referred to it, either fromthe adjacent emergency department or the local community. Reasons why the trial was not able to realise theseefficiencies are explored.