There is a need of modifying administrative support teams of GPs, so as to reduce costs, as per a report the NHS Confederation's Foundation Trust Network.

The focus of the report was to look at the means that can help streamlining the back office functions. The basic idea it presents to all NHS is simplify, standardise and share, so as to reduce costs.

The report, which was commissioned by Department of Health, suggests the appointment bookings to get centralized through a national call centre and clearing surgeries of a number of staff, a plan which has been termed flawed by doctors and surgery staff.

As per the public sector trade union Unison, the personal service associated with patients cannot be offered by call centres.

"There are substantial efficiency gains to be achieved through transforming GP back office functions, such as the potential to move towards regional and national GP appointment centres", said Tony Spotswood, Chief Executive of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals.

It incurred costs worth £2.8 Billion on back office functions and all due to the non-coordinated activities of the NHS.

As expressed by a spokesman for the Department of Health, it would not move ahead with the plan and there was not any proposal underway for a national call centre.