This article explores GP referrals to other health professionals and aims to describe a doctor’s medicolegal obligations and responsibilities when making a referral.

The benefits of a strong doctor–patient relationship obtained through continuity of care should not be lost as our health system becomes more complex.

Continuity of care is an integral part of quality healthcare. Focus articles this month discuss issues and challenges for continuity of care in the current health system.

Strategies to support continuity of care between patients and GPs should be encouraged.

The adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ resonates strongly with medicolegal issues. Failing to recognise or manage problems early is likely to lead to worse outcomes and increased costs.

International evidence suggests that systems with a focus on primary healthcare have better health outcomes and lower health costs.

With more than 25% of patients attending more than one general practice in the previous year, the quality and continuity of care for multiple practice attenders requires further investigation.

This article explores the benefits of having a system to accept and deal with patient feedback within a practice and identifies barriers preventing patients from raising their concerns directly.

The adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ resonates strongly with medicolegal issues. Failing to recognise or manage problems early is likely to lead to worse outcomes and increased costs.

Strategies that have successfully increased COVID-19 vaccine uptake may also be effective in enhancing uptake across a range of vaccine-preventable diseases.