MPs say patients in England are being put at risk due to unacceptably poor GP service

The House of Commons’ Health Committee blamed the failure of the government to tackle doctor shortages, which had resulted in a decline in the traditional GP/patient relationship, adding that seeing a GP should not be likened to booking an Uber driver.

 

The warning comes on the heels of ministers launching a drive to improve access to GP services.

 

Last money, Health Secretary Therese Coffey pledged same-day appointments for patients that needed them, alongside a guarantee that no-one would wait longer than two weeks.

 

Rules were relaxed so additional funding could be used to recruit non-GP staff, such as senior nurses, as well as requesting that pharmacists take on more work to free up appointments – as the government is struggling to achieve its goal of recruiting an additional 6,000 GPs during this Parliament.

 

However, the cross-party group of MPs said that more needed to be done, adding that continuity of care – seeing the same GP – was essential to spotting the signs of illnesses early and keeping people healthy and out of hospital.

 

Rachael Maskell, committee member, said “The important relationship between a GP and their patients is in decline.

 

“Seeing your GP should not be as random as booking an Uber with a driver you’re unlikely to see again.

 

“General practice is in crisis with doctors demoralised and overworked.”

 

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 Karen Motley, 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