GP ‘postcode lottery’ means some patients compete for appointments with up to 70 times more people

New NHS figures have shown England’s busiest GP practices are dealing with up to 70 times more patients than others.

 

The nation’s patient-doctor ratio has jumped since 2016, following an exodus of staff, an ever-increasing patient list and closure of surgeries.  Practices are now dealing with around 9,500 patients each, compared to 7,465 seven years ago.

 

According to Government-backed research, nearly six in ten GPs now work three-day weeks and a third are planning to retire within five years.

 

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said “The size of the qualified GP workforce is falling whilst the number of patients, and complexity of care being delivered, continues to grow, and as a result the ratio of patients to GPs has increased significantly over recent years.

 

“While the problem as a theme is universal across the country, some regions are being affected worse than others as they face greater difficulties recruiting new GPs.

 

“GPs want to be able to consistently give their patients the care they deserve, no matter where they live in the country.

 

“But the increased workload expected of GPs and their teams while their numbers fail to increase at the necessary pace, is unsustainable.”

 

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.

 

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