The government must avoid political gimmickry, such as plans for a seven-day NHS, and instead prioritise investment in family doctor services
The UK election saw a focus on general practice that was unlike any previous campaign in modern times. Sadly all the parties were unified in their failure to acknowledge the crisis facing GP services, which have become an under-resourced, over-stretched shell of their former self, struggling to keep pace with patient demand despite the efforts of their staff. This mismatch between reality and politicians’ promises is a real threat to patient services in the years ahead.
The problems facing GP practices are all around us. A foundation trust in Derbyshire has been made “emergency caretaker” of three GP practices facing recruitment and financial problems, as two others in the area face closure. There are now 7,962 GP practices in England – one in 20 has disappeared since 2010. The rate of loss of local surgeries has speeded up – 79 closed and 55 opened in 2010 but in 2013, 126 closed and only 13 opened. There has been a five-fold rise in the number of GP surgeries approaching senior NHS managers for advice about shutting their doors or merging with nearby practices.
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