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Darzi report one year on - 'Primary care stretched to breaking point and still waiting for resources'

Dr Michelle Drage comments on the implementation of the Better Health for London (Darzi) report, to coincide with the one-year anniversary of its publication and the London: One Year On event.

Statement

“Rather than grand ribbon-cutting schemes, what we really need to secure the future of general practice in London is support for practices that have been underfunded for many years. Primary care professionals and their teams are stretched to breaking point and need help to manage existing workload and pressure before they can create the head-space to think and own some of the measures outlined in Lord Darzi’s report last year.

“GPs in London are capable of meeting the challenge of increased health care need, provided the future GP service is built on the professional values GPs bring to their work and on their expertise in working in, and with, communities. GPs need the support of strong community nursing, mental health, social care and diagnostic services.

“We still need a change in direction towards locally based diagnostics; one stop direct access to decent district nursing and community services; and many more social workers and mental health workers. That wasn’t in the report and we are still waiting for someone to tell us how that can be achieved and who has the cash or people to make them happen. A year on the message is simple - we want action, not words.”

Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive, Londonwide LMCs

Notes to editors:

1. For further information please contact Alex Orton, Londonwide LMCs Media Manager: 020 3818 6239 / 07768 139 704 / orton@lmc.org.uk
2. Londonwide LMCs is the only independent body in London representing over 7000 full and part-time GPs and over 1300 Practice Managers and the wider practice team 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 lmc.org.uk ; via Twitter @londonwidelmcs ; or on our campaigning website www.GPResilience.org.uk.

Last updated : 21 Oct 2015

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