Call For More Doctors From Group Representing GP’s
Written by HFM News on 4th May 2023
The group representing GP’s across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland says one in four people are without access to safe medical care.
The Local Medical Committee says 56 doctors per 100,000 population are needed for a safe and efficient service to be provided to patients and number currently stands at 41, with an additional 175 GPs needed to bridge the gap.
Dr Grant Ingrams, Executive Chair of the group, said: ““I am proud of my general practice colleagues who continue to provide a high-quality service to patients despite the impossible task they are given to do.
“GP colleagues continue to go the extra mile providing an increased number of general practice appointments despite fewer and fewer GPs.”
“Next month we are hosting a summit of local MPs, local authorities, and decision makers in the NHS to discuss our findings and work with us to identify possible solutions.
“We hope the public will ensure their elected representatives attend as it could be the last chance saloon for a universal NHS general practice service in LLR.”
A spokesperson for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Intergrated Care Board, which oversees health services, said: “We acknowledge the concerns of the LMC and we are working closely with them and with our local GPs, to develop actions in response to the pressures being experienced in primary care.
“In terms of workforce, in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland we have already successfully recruited additional clinicians to work alongside GPs as part of the general practice team. These include clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics and advanced nurse practitioners. These additional clinical roles provide patients with alternatives to seeing a GP, depending on their particular need. This will help to free up GP time for other patients with more complex health conditions who need to be seen by a GP.
“We have a process in place for practices to inform us when they are experiencing particular pressures and we will then offer them proactive support, working closely with the practice. We are also developing a longer-term strategy to address the specific areas highlighted by the LMC.”
