forty-eight-hour access
forty-eight-hour access
An NHS term referring to the ability of a non-emergent patient to see an appropriate member of the primary care team by direct contact (i.e., telephone or face-to-face) with the health professional (e.g., doctor, nurse or health visitor in the practice where the patient is registered) who is competent to deal with the patient's clinical needs in line with the practice's consultation arrangements where:(1) professional, clinical advice is sought and given within 2 working days in accordance with the clinical needs of the patient; and
(2) a professional, clinical opinion and/or diagnosis is required in order to determine a further course of action—e.g., to treat, to refer or to provide professional advice.