This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
General practice is running on empty, warns RCGP
Writing to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the Royal College of GPs has warned that family doctors are under intense pressure and general practice is running on empty.
Claiming that severe staff shortages are causing ‘unacceptable’ delays for patients across the country, Martin Marshall, who took over as RCGP chairman in November, says that rising numbers of GPs are struggling with an escalating workload, which is causing many to burn out and leave the profession.
Although the government is committed to recruiting 6,000 more GPs in England by 2025, Marshall stressed that the current issue is being exacerbated by difficulties recruiting GPs and other members of staff to manage the demand.
Given the GP pledge of the government, and figures showing that the numbers of doctors falling, the RCGP has asked Hancock to clarify how he will increase the number of family doctors, and what significant investments he will make in the profession.
Marshall says: "No patient should have to wait three weeks for a GP appointment. This is unacceptable and our patients, and GPs, deserve better. We want a commitment to increase GP training places to 4,000 in 2020-21, as outlined in your election manifesto, but also to 5,000 soon after; and significant investment into initiatives to improve GP workload and retain existing GPs in the profession to improve the wellbeing and moral of the whole practice team."
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