<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><xml><records><record><source-app name="HighWire" version="7.x">Drupal-HighWire</source-app><ref-type name="Journal Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Creavin, Alexandra L</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Creavin, Sam T</style></author></authors><secondary-authors></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The overlooked challenges facing out-of-hours primary care in the NHS: a missed opportunity in policy</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">BJGP Open</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2025</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2025-04-01 00:00:00</style></date></pub-dates></dates><elocation-id><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">BJGPO.2024.0292</style></elocation-id><doi><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0292</style></doi><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">9</style></volume><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1</style></issue><abstract><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Out-of-hours (OOH) primary care is a crucial health service for patients needing attention outside regular office hours, yet it was largely overlooked in Lord Darzi’s recent landmark healthcare review.1 This gap leaves OOH services underrepresented in both policy discussions and research. Integrating OOH services more fully into policy frameworks like the Darzi report would not only elevate their importance but also support reforms essential to sustaining this vital NHS function.Our recent engagement with GPs, allied health professionals, commissioners, and patients revealed six key challenges within OOH primary care that, if addressed, could strengthen healthcare access, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Here, we explore each challenge and suggest ways to help preserve OOH care as a crucial NHS component.Disconnect between in-hours and out-of-hours careA major issue for OOH services is limited integration with in-hours care. Without a shared electronic health record and a unified handover system, patients experience disjointed care journeys, being passed from one service to another without resolution. This lack of continuity leads to delays, repeat consultations, and a fragmented patient experience. Recommendation: Establish a secure electronic health record accessible across in-hours and OOH services to …</style></abstract></record></records></xml>