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Londonwide LMCs statement on 2015 spending review - Dr Michelle Drage, CEO

“Today’s announcement falls short of what is needed to address the challenges facing general practice in the Capital and beyond.

“The Statement contains nothing new for general practice – the vanguard of the UK healthcare system. Next day appointments, named GPs and seven day access are great ideas, but there is neither the time, money or morale for many GPs within the profession to deliver them at present.

“To make a meaningful and impactful change to patient flow and to improve patient care, finance is needed up-front. GPs need to be able to manage existing workload and systems before they can improve access.

“The biggest challenge GPs and their teams in London face is declining morale resulting from increasing workload not matched by increases in workforce.  We have seen massively increased demand at the doors of all our general practices as community, social and mental health services which used to support GPs have been dramatically reduced, and as we try to handle all the multiple conditions that accompany our diverse, often deprived, highly mobile and ageing society in the face of a diminishing workforce. 

“Each year in London the equivalent of fewer than 5,000 GPs and falling handle over 50 million consultations and we need over 1.5 million more GP hours to deal with current demand. With practice nurse numbers falling as well, the government needs to properly fund existing services, cut red tape and manage patient expectation before pushing general practice to deliver even more with less.”

 

Notes to editors:

1. For further information please contact Alex Orton, Londonwide LMCs Media Manager: 020 3818 6239 / 07768 139 704 / alex.orton@lmc.org.uk
2. Londonwide LMCs is the only independent body in London representing over 7000 full and part-time GPs and over 1400 practice teams across London.
3. Local medical committees are the statutory body representing GPs and practices; 27 London boroughs have a local medical committee, supported by Medical Directors working for the umbrella organisation (Londonwide LMCs) covering NW, NCE and South London.
4. Londonwide LMCs' figures show there are 7,113 GPs in London, including those working full-time and part-time.
5. Further information on Londonwide LMCs can be found on our website www.lmc.org.uk ; via Twitter @londonwidelmcs ; or on our campaigning website www.GPResilience.org.uk.

Last updated : 25 Nov 2015

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