GPs ensure healthcare access during floods

GPs have been praised for their quick response in providing voluntary weekend care to patients affected by the Cumbria floods. GPs and nurses responded to urgent requests for additional help by out-of-hours organisations, ensuring areas cut off by the deluge had access to healthcare on Sunday. The town of Appleby (pictured) was among the worst affected areas by Storm Desmond, which hit the UK at the weekend. Routine services at many hospitals in the Lake District were cancelled and NHS trusts including Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust praised staff for offering extra help. Meanwhile, GP practices in Cockermouth and Wigton opened on Sunday along with the village pharmacist in Hawkshead, which also provided telephone support. Two GPs travelled by boat to the village of Glenridding, at the southern end of Ullswater lake, to provide care to patients, and support the mountain rescue team. Commenting on GPs’ response, BMA GPs committee deputy chair Richard Vautrey said: ‘It's inspiring to see local GPs and their practice teams, as well as the many others in the emergency services, responding so quickly and effectively to help their patients at this time of crisis. ‘They are part of the community themselves and fully understand the physical and psychological impact the floods will have on their patients not just in the immediate crisis but over the coming weeks and months. 'That's why it's imperative that the wider NHS provides support for rural surger...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news