GP appointments with doctors drop by 47 per cent as other health staff pick up load

Analysis has revealed that less than half of GP appointments are being held with a doctor.  The figure is even lower in some parts of the country, where less than one in three patients are seeing qualified doctors when they visit the GP.

 

Nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacy assistants are now seeing more patients combined than GPs.

 

The same figures show that up to four in ten consultations were still not in person in October, despite health secretary Sajid Javid warning practices to return to pre-pandemic levels, when over 80 per cent were face to face.

 

The data has prompted concern that vital warning signs of life-threatening health conditions could be missed by a lack of in-person examinations and worried patients seeking help overwhelming A&E departments.

 

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said practice staff were incredibly busy in the lead up to winter, adding “GPs and our teams are busier and busier as we head into what is likely to be an extremely challenging winter.”

 

Professor Marshall also highlighted how up to two thirds of appointments in England were delivered face to face despite the pressures staff were under.

 

He said “General practice was stretched to its limits before the pandemic, but the intense workload and workforce pressures have been exacerbated by the crisis.

 

“Today’s figures show GPs and our teams are working incredibly hard delivering safe, timely and appropriate care for patients, as well as two huge vaccination programmes to protect patients.”

 

 

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