“My specialty is general practice and we are battling a triple whammy of pressure currently.
Firstly, surging demand from patients. The number of calls into GP practices are significantly higher than pre pandemic levels, in some cases triple the number. We are dealing with a worried population, rising Covid cases, struggling with NHS backlogs and pressure on emergency services.
Secondly, a workforce crisis. Government promises to increase the number of GPs have been pie in the sky. NHS England figures show that FTE GPs numbers are actually falling and down almost 2,000 in the last 5 years.
And lastly, we have had an appalling barrage of negativity from policy makers and smears from the media. General practice has been open all throughout the pandemic and yes, we are seeing patients face to face every day- examining, investigating, immunising, and treating.
I have been a GP partner for over 20 years. As independent contractors, we know how to run services. We have systems in place to prioritise patients on clinical need, running a blended model of consultations – telephone, online, video and face to face.
As GPs we know the needs of our patients, and how to manage clinical risk. I believe that we will weather the current storms of pressure but we need to do it our way and not be directed by some faceless bureaucrat. Give us what we need and we will make it work.
We need real financial investment into services, the additional workforce that has been promised, and the removal of red tape and regulation on GP practices.
And finally, we need the lies about general practice to stop NOW.”
Dr John Ip, Glasgow LMC Medical Director and member of SGPC
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