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08
Jun 2021
Increasing patient numbers threaten to overwhelm GPs
Doctors and patient groups are warning that increasing numbers of patients needing care and a shortage of GPs is threatening to overwhelm the system. This comes after the pandemic has caused significant disruption to GP practices for more than a year.
Analysis by the Health Foundation of NHS England data found that more than 28 million appointments were booked in March, which is among the highest recorded.
Doctors’ leaders say what they are being expected to achieve is “undoable”.
The analysis also found that between the years 2019 to 2021, the number of patients referred by GPs for urgent cancer check-ups dropped by 15 per cent, putting lives at risk; that there was a major shift from face-to-face to remote consultation, with the proportion seen in practices dropping from 79 per cent to 54 per cent; and that the total number of appointments dropped by 10 per cent, meaning 31 million fewer consultations with GPs and practice nurses.
The mounting situation has prompted patients groups to call for an urgent review of access to services, amid reports that patients are struggling to get through.
Chairman of the Royal College of GPs Professor Martin Marshall, says that what is being asked of the profession now is simply “undoable”.
He went on to say “General practice was already facing intense workforce and workload pressures – the pandemic has only exacerbated these. We urgently need more GPs and other members of the practice team.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 7382
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