The NHS winter crisis and the Prime Minister’s run-in with GPs
The NHS winter crisis and the Prime Minister’s run-in with GPs
The weekend of 14 January saw general practice and Theresa May come to blows over claims about the impact of GP opening hours on accident and emergency attendances. This story broke as the Government sought to quell reports of a ‘humanitarian crisis’ in the NHS and tensions between NHS England’s Chief Executive and Number 10 Downing Street. We have produced a timeline of recent events for those who would like a reminder of who said what and when:
Friday 6 January
The Red Cross reports that the NHS faces a humanitarian crisis, citing among other indicators the fact that two patients died on trolleys in Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Sunday 8 January
Theresa May gives a keynote interview to Sky News, downplaying the crisis and reiterating her claim that the NHS has had more money than it asked for (see 11:30 into this clip).
Monday 9 January
Jeremy Hunt makes a statement to the House of Commons on mental health and NHS performance, citing “unprecedented demand” and listing the Government’s measures for handling the crisis, including “temporarily releasing time for GPs to support urgent care work”.
Wednesday 11 January, 05:00
The Times carries a front-page story reporting a rift between Number 10 Downing Street and Sir Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England, citing sources who say Stevens “lacks enthusiasm”.
Wednesday 11 January, 12:00
At Prime Minister’s Questions Theresa May continues attributing the NHS’s problems to factors other than money, saying: “There are always extra pressures on the NHS during the winter but, of course, we have at the moment those added pressures of the ageing population and the growing complex needs of the population.”
Wednesday 11 January, 16:00
Later that afternoon Simon Stevens appears before Parliament’s Public Accounts Select Committee, saying that claiming the NHS is getting more money than it asked for is “stretching it” and uses an analogy comparing the complexity of the NHS to the simplicity of the criminal justice system (Theresa May’s previous ministerial brief was at the Home Office).
Thursday 12 January
Simon Steven’s remarks lead many newspaper front pages and news bulletins, the crisis of demand on NHS services continues.
Saturday 14 January
Number 10 briefs journalists that the lack of GPs providing extended opening hours is causing patients to go to A&E because they cannot get GP appointments at a convenient time. They say that the Government will cut funding to GPs who are not providing extended access. This is the lead item on several Saturday newspaper front pages.
Sunday 15 January
GPs and opposition politicians take to traditional and social media to rebut the Government’s claims, many GPs voice their upset at being scapegoated by the Prime Minister:
- Jeremy Corbyn, the Leader of the Opposition, cites a recent visit to a GP surgery in his constituency on the Andrew Marr show (see 45:25 into this clip). This visit was arranged by Londonwide LMCs as part of our work to raise London MPs’ awareness of the challenges general practice faces.
- Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the RCGP appears on ITV’s Peston on Sunday to defend the profession (see 17:30 into this clip, free registration required)
- Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health Select Committee and a former GP, appears on Sky New’s Sophy Ridge show, saying GPs are working very hard and disputing Theresa May’s claim that the NHS has had more money than it asked for.
- Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of the BMA’s GPC, appears on BBC News saying “GPs already work 24/7, 365 days a year”.
Monday 16 January
Dr Stokes-Lampard and Dr Wollaston’s comments are widely reported. Through the start of the week GPs and the medical professional continues to express their anger at the Government’s remarks and contest the factual basis of them, including:
- Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive of Londonwide LMCs
- Cumbria LMC
- Dr Mark Porter, Chair of the BMA
- Dr Zoe Norris, Chair of the GPC Sessional Subcommittee, BMA
Wednesday 18 January
The Department of Health says that they do not hold records on A&E attendances resulting from people not being able to get a timely GP appointment, in response to a written question by an opposition MP.
Last updated : 26 Jan 2017
Standing up for Sessional GPs - What your LMC can do for you (19 Dec 2016)
Early notice of LMC event for Sessional GPs Ealing, Harrow, Hammersmith and Fulham areas - please note in your diaries Standing up for Sessional GPs - What your LMC can...NHS Shared Business Services lost records repatriation (14 Dec 2016)
In July it was found that a backlog of clinical correspondence and results stretching back over several years remained in NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) storage areas and had not been processed....December 2016 newsletter (14 Dec 2016)
New Blue Stream Academy induction module launched (13 Dec 2016)
Blue Stream Academy, the Buying Group’s approved supplier for online training, has added a unique and editable induction module to their GP Practice eLearning suite. The new module is...Londonwide LMCs secures new assurance role for GP funding (13 Dec 2016)
Against a backdrop of enforced MPIG reductions and successive unworkable London Offers (see PMS Bulletin 9) we have been actively pushing the London NHS and Mayoral systems to support...Londonwide LMCs’ winter workforce survey (13 Dec 2016)
Our latest workforce survey concluded earlier this week and had another fantastic response from across London’s general practice community. We had nearly 700 responses from across half of all of...Patient online update (13 Dec 2016)
There is an agreed aspiration between the GPC (General Practitioners Committee) of the BMA and the NHS that practices attempt to register 10% of patients for online services by 31...Guest blog - What makes a successful patient participation group (13 Dec 2016)
Derek Spencer, Chair of Gillan House Surgery's patient participation group (PPG), shares how they are successful at raising money and campaigning on the practice’s behalf. About three years ago I...Patient engagement survey 2016 - headline findings and key themes (13 Dec 2016)
Londonwide LMCs’ Patient Engagement Project started in July 2016. The project aims to support London GP practice teams in working collaboratively with their patients to shape high quality services and...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.