Seven-day GP services unworkable, conference hears

The Government should abandon its mantra on routine seven-day GP services and put greater investment into emergency weekend cover services instead, a conference has heard. Doctors at yesterday's LMCs (local medical committees) conference said ministers’ current emphasis on seven-day working was unachievable in light of continuing under-resourcing .   Suffolk GP Christopher Browning argued that the drive for routine GP appointments on Saturdays and Sundays was politically driven and contrary to the needs of most patients.   He added: ‘Have you ever tried to see your accountant on a Sunday? A dentist? Your solicitor?   ‘There’s no need for these people to provide full routine services at the weekends, and there’s no need for you and I as GPs to do it either.’   'Struggling badly' Dr Browning said that without having support staff such as nurses and pharmacists also in place at weekends, doctors would be unable to provide a full service and that consultations would simply generate additional work for the following week.   He added: ‘The NHS in general — and general practice in particular — are struggling badly to provide the five-day routine service they do [already] provide. 'It should be clear to everyone that spreading that resource over seven days isn’t possible.   ‘My practice is on its knees with the work it does in the week, and the idea of taking personnel away, even just to ...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news