Responding to today’s publication of both new appointment and GP workforce data, the BMA said the rise in appointments coupled with a continued downward ‘spiral’ in the GP workforce is ‘untenable’ for practices.
Dr Kieran Sharrock, BMA GP committee for England deputy chair, said: ‘Last month appointments in England were up by 4 million – while GP numbers continued to spiral downwards.
‘This is completely untenable for practices, for GPs and for patients.’
He added: ‘This trend of demand rocketing while we haemorrhage doctors is pushing the remaining staff to breaking point as they take on more and more each day, to a point which is not safe for them and certainly not safe for patients.
‘While today’s figures demonstrate practice staff going above and beyond to meet the needs of their patients, working at these unsafe levels is not sustainable and will only drive more GPs away from the profession – leaving more patients without their family doctor.
‘We urgently need the Government and policymakers to listen to the alarm bells being rung by practices around the country, and work with the profession to come to solutions that ease the pressures, turn the tide on the exodus of GPs and enable them to provide safe care that patients deserve.’
Anyone else feel that this number is not a true representation of dr physically seeing patient. When you read the article there is a wide range of interactions counted including bin man waving to receptionist, dr visiting petrol station etc
Demand is high because people were scared away for two years. The numbers being ‘seen’ though are only at a record level because they’re providing sub-par service via telephone appointments rather than face to face. I’m concerned things are going to be missed and people are going to die.
Maybe, but in and out before you can draw breath, much less than the target 9 minutes. GP is typing while listening and talking. Generic diagnosis. No tests or follow up. Ask Reddit would be better.
Well, people will still find a way to criticise. It seems a lot of people haven’t quite grasped the idea of “don’t shoot the messenger” yet- GPs have no control over how many GPs get trained, it’s not their fault there’s a shortage.
The GP workload our lab has seen in the past few months has been ridiculous. We have had at least double the work we would normally get for months now, which is great if it means more people are finally going to the doctor and getting things seen to (even if it means we are cracking under pressure ourselves).
It should always be remembered that we are haemorrhaging GPs as a country and they are not being replaced by new trainees. This has been going on for years and the Tories have failed in their promise to recruit more GPs. COVID has only accelerated this as GPs are overworked and experiencing record levels of abuse. People blaming their GP and acting as if they are not seeing people on purpose are only adding to the problem too. COVID and the post-lockdown catch up has only highlighted how fragile the NHS is and the extent to which staff have kept it propped up.
My doctors only do appointments on the day, I have to call them to book at 8:30am. If I call at 8:29:59 they are not open, if I call at 8:30:01 I am number 84 in the queue and there are no appointments when I get off hold after 2 hours
There’s many factors that effect someone’s decision to immigrate. The most frequently cited are clinical and business autonomy. Comparing these two, yes Canada is better.
Doctor here— I’m leaving the NHS for a better offer overseas and know many of my colleagues that are too.
You can’t cut pay by 30%, increase the workload and expect people to stay.
Sounds like GPs are diddling the figures. They’ve had it great for two year, being paid 60+k to not see patients and now they finding ways to ride the gravy train.
Lots of available work. Depends on the role: a
Website HealthmatchBC would be useful for you.
11 comments
Responding to today’s publication of both new appointment and GP workforce data, the BMA said the rise in appointments coupled with a continued downward ‘spiral’ in the GP workforce is ‘untenable’ for practices.
Dr Kieran Sharrock, BMA GP committee for England deputy chair, said: ‘Last month appointments in England were up by 4 million – while GP numbers continued to spiral downwards.
‘This is completely untenable for practices, for GPs and for patients.’
He added: ‘This trend of demand rocketing while we haemorrhage doctors is pushing the remaining staff to breaking point as they take on more and more each day, to a point which is not safe for them and certainly not safe for patients.
‘While today’s figures demonstrate practice staff going above and beyond to meet the needs of their patients, working at these unsafe levels is not sustainable and will only drive more GPs away from the profession – leaving more patients without their family doctor.
‘We urgently need the Government and policymakers to listen to the alarm bells being rung by practices around the country, and work with the profession to come to solutions that ease the pressures, turn the tide on the exodus of GPs and enable them to provide safe care that patients deserve.’
Anyone else feel that this number is not a true representation of dr physically seeing patient. When you read the article there is a wide range of interactions counted including bin man waving to receptionist, dr visiting petrol station etc
Demand is high because people were scared away for two years. The numbers being ‘seen’ though are only at a record level because they’re providing sub-par service via telephone appointments rather than face to face. I’m concerned things are going to be missed and people are going to die.
Maybe, but in and out before you can draw breath, much less than the target 9 minutes. GP is typing while listening and talking. Generic diagnosis. No tests or follow up. Ask Reddit would be better.
Well, people will still find a way to criticise. It seems a lot of people haven’t quite grasped the idea of “don’t shoot the messenger” yet- GPs have no control over how many GPs get trained, it’s not their fault there’s a shortage.
The GP workload our lab has seen in the past few months has been ridiculous. We have had at least double the work we would normally get for months now, which is great if it means more people are finally going to the doctor and getting things seen to (even if it means we are cracking under pressure ourselves).
It should always be remembered that we are haemorrhaging GPs as a country and they are not being replaced by new trainees. This has been going on for years and the Tories have failed in their promise to recruit more GPs. COVID has only accelerated this as GPs are overworked and experiencing record levels of abuse. People blaming their GP and acting as if they are not seeing people on purpose are only adding to the problem too. COVID and the post-lockdown catch up has only highlighted how fragile the NHS is and the extent to which staff have kept it propped up.
My doctors only do appointments on the day, I have to call them to book at 8:30am. If I call at 8:29:59 they are not open, if I call at 8:30:01 I am number 84 in the queue and there are no appointments when I get off hold after 2 hours
There’s many factors that effect someone’s decision to immigrate. The most frequently cited are clinical and business autonomy. Comparing these two, yes Canada is better.
Doctor here— I’m leaving the NHS for a better offer overseas and know many of my colleagues that are too.
You can’t cut pay by 30%, increase the workload and expect people to stay.
Sounds like GPs are diddling the figures. They’ve had it great for two year, being paid 60+k to not see patients and now they finding ways to ride the gravy train.
Lots of available work. Depends on the role: a
Website HealthmatchBC would be useful for you.