An analysis by the Nuffield Trust think tank for the BBC shows that the NHS is seeing the first sustained fall in GP numbers in the UK for 50 years. The last time the numbers fell like this was in the 1960’s which is a cause for concern, given the population is ageing and the demand for GPs is increasing.
Patient groups have reported experiencing difficulties making appointments with their local GPs, with some having to wait up to seven weeks for a routine appointment. Whilst patients needing an urgent appointment have resorted to queuing outside practices in the early morning to ensure that they are seen the same day.
Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, president of the Royal College of GPs has been quoted as saying:
“General practice cannot be allowed to fail. It is an absolute cornerstone of the NHS.”
The Nuffield Trust analysis looked at the number of GPs working in the NHS – both full and part-time – per 100,000 people across the UK. There have now been four consecutive years of falls with the biggest drops being seen in England.
The fall in GPs means that the average doctor now has 125 more patients to look after than they did five years ago. The NHS has reported that it would need a further 3,500 GPs just to get it back to where it was in 2014.
Impact on Patients
A GP patients survey carried out by Ipsos MORI for NHS England studied 750,000 patients each year, which is one of the largest GP patient surveys undertaken.
It showed that Kent was one of the areas with the worst problems. The Chief Executive, Steve Illet, of the local patient network, Healthwatch Kent, reported to the BBC:
“Patients have been reporting they are having to wait six or seven weeks for routine appointments. And even when they try to get an urgent one they can be forced to queue outside surgeries before they are open.
“It is a real problem. Some GP surgeries are really struggling to recruit the staff they need, particularly the smaller surgeries.”
Whilst Kent has been reported as having considerable issues, the problems they face are widespread and far reaching, with England suffering the most, with the worst figures, in comparison to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Decline in GPs – Where are they going?
Historically the NHS have struggled to attract junior doctors to become GPs. Whilst the uptake of training places has increased since 2014, with last year nearly 3,500 GP trainee posts taken up in England (up by 800 since 2014), the increase in numbers will not be felt due to the length of time it takes to train a junior doctor to become a GP.
Unfortunately, one in three trainee GPs drop out of the system before completing their training so the actual impact in the increase in GP trainees has yet to be seen.
Under Pressure
It has also been noted that the number of GPs retiring early are also on the increase. Two-thirds of retirements by GPs come early – double the rate seen just five years ago.
BMA, which is the trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students across the UK, have been reported by the BBC as saying:
“…doctors were being asked to work longer and harder, without recognition or an increase in pay.”
Dr Richard Vautrey, of the BMA, said workloads were now “unmanageable” for many.
Risks for Patients
As the population ages, the demand for GPs has increased and care for ever more complex conditions has been required.
The BBC’s Panorama programme has identified GPs that have come forward as they have concerns that the situation is “not safe”.
Whilst extra staff are being recruited by the NHS to help ease the demand on GPs, Dr Nikita Kanani, of NHS England, suggested that whilst this would help ease demand on GPs, she acknowledged the service was facing “significant pressure”.
Victoria’s Comment
GPs are seen by many as the cornerstone of the NHS. They act as the gateway between the general population and their loved ones, and the referrals they may need to extended hospital services. Any delays or obstacles to a patient getting the treatment they may need, has an obvious negative impact on peoples well-being.
With the decline in GPs across the UK, the increased number of patients to GPs, along with the associated increased daily workload pressures, could have a negative impact on the quality of care being offered to patients in the most worst hit areas. The impact could amount to increased risks to patient lives and may afford any victims of unnecessary or negligent delays in receiving treatment, eligible for bringing a claim for compensation.
How Nelsons Can Help
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Our expert team of lawyers in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are specialists in medical negligence matters and will guide you through the process of bringing a claim.
If you have been affected by any of the points raised in this blog, please contact us on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.