GP numbers down by nearly 1,000 since 2015

New analysis by the TUC has revealed that the number of GPs in England has fallen by nearly 1,000 since 2015, despite government promises to boost numbers.

The Conservative government pledged to recruit 5,000 more GPs by 2020 as part of its 2015 election manifesto. However, since then the number of doctors at GP surgeries has fallen while patient demand has increased.

Health leaders claim that the average number of patients GPs should have on their list is 1,600 in order to provide a high-quality service. In September this year the average number of patients per GP was 2,100. This means that GP patient lists have increased by eight per cent, on average, since 2015. Additionally, he average wait for a routine GP appointment is now more than two weeks.

With demand on GP surgeries increasing, unions argue that an additional 9,000 doctors are needed to run services at the right level.

The North East and the East of England have seen the biggest overall fall in doctors since 2015, at -11 per cent and -seven per cent respectively.

Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, said: “The Conservatives promised a big increase in GP numbers. But on their watch the number of doctors has fallen while demand has increased. Our hardworking and overstretched GPs are working tirelessly to help patients. But there are simply not enough of them to keep up with demand. As a result patients are not getting the treatments they need on time. And family doctors are stressed and overwhelmed. The next government must invest in our NHS and boost GP numbers.”