Call for action on promised GP funding

The Government must take action to ensure that promised funding for GP practices is delivered ‘as quickly as possible’. That is the message from BMA GPC deputy chair Richard Vautrey, pictured, as new NHS figures show the number of GPs working in primary care is decreasing, despite a relentless surge in demand. The HSCIC (Health and Social Care Information Centre) has revealed that the number of full-time equivalent GPs, excluding locums, working in primary care in England is thought to have decreased from just over 34,700 in 2014 to 34,055 in 2016. The numbers equate to a 1.9 per cent drop in the number of GPs while the number of appointments booked by patients rose by 40 million from 2008 to 2014. Dr Vautrey said the statistics ‘expose the crisis in general practice with GPs leaving because of unsustainable workload pressures’.   'Deeply worrying' He added: ‘It demonstrates why it is important that the BMA’s proposals for an Urgent Prescription for General Practice, together with NHS England's recently announced General Practice Forward View, must be implemented immediately. ‘It is deeply worrying that at a time of escalating patient demand, especially from an ageing population, there has been a decrease in the number of GPs and staff focused on delivering patient care. ‘The public is already seeing the impact of this in their local GP practice, with many struggling to provide enough appointments. ‘A recent...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news