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
I want great care IT system (11 Nov 2015)
The new Co-ordinate My Care (CMC) IT system will launch on 24 November. There are important steps for GPs to take, particularly those who have not seen the pre-launch communications...Speaker's Corner - moustache aficionado Dr Tony Grewal looks at men’s health issues for "Movember" (11 Nov 2015)
This month moustache aficionado Dr Tony Grewal looks at men’s health issues for "Movember", Londonwide LMCs staff raised over £100 for the Movember charity. Tony writes: November is the month when...November 2015 newsletter now available (11 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterUpdate on successful resolution of first Christmas 2013 breach case (10 Nov 2015)
The legal challenge brought against breach notices issued by NHSE to practices who closed their doors on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve in 2013 has ended in a successful...Keeping on top of bureaucracy in your practice (09 Nov 2015)
Jeremy Hunt recently announced plans to cut bureaucracy in the health service, including ending the practice of hospitals referring patients who miss appointments back to GPs and consolidating the...Appeal: support the homeless this winter (09 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs’ communications team recently met with Dr Paul O’Reilly and Practice Manager Tanya O’Brien of the Doctor Hickey Surgery in Westminster. Both spoke powerfully about the vulnerable groups...Provider development event round-up (06 Nov 2015)
Londonwide LMCs, in collaboration with Healthy London Partnership co-hosted an event on 4th November at the Kia Oval attended by over 100 representatives from emerging GP Provider Groups, CCGS and...Female Genital Mutilation Datasets briefing note (04 Nov 2015)
Practices are now legally required to report Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). The purpose of the data collection is to improve the NHS...PMS contract review update (03 Nov 2015)
This briefing is for information only for GMS practices This update follows our recent PMS briefing: in areas where CCGs have already moved to Level 3 co-commissioning, (fully delegated responsibilities)...Darzi report one year on - 'Primary care stretched to breaking point and still waiting for resources' (21 Oct 2015)
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...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.