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
October 2015 newsletter now available (15 Oct 2015)
Londonwide LMCs NewsletterTamiflu in nursing and care homes (14 Oct 2015)
In January the GPC sought legal advice on Public Health England’s (PHE) instructions to prescribe Tamiflu for the prophylaxis of influenza in nursing and care homes where there have been...Improving well-being and health for dementia patients workshop (14 Oct 2015)
WHELD Research Programme (Improving Wellbeing and Health in Dementia) have organised an Royal College of General Practitioners accredited workshop for GPs in London. It will discuss anti-psychotic medication and no-pharmacological...Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set - participation voluntary (14 Oct 2015)
Advice has been sought from the BMA General Practitioners Committee’s IT Subcommittee on the Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set (CCG OIS) for 2013/14 and 2014/15. Practices have been asked to sign...Year-end deadline for agreement of GP Systems of Choice and GP IT services (14 Oct 2015)
NHS England has published an agreement for signature by practices and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) setting out the provision of GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) and GP IT services. The...Death in service benefits for locum GPs - are you covered? (14 Oct 2015)
You may already be aware that there are persistent current inequities regarding the entitlement to ‘death in service’ benefit for freelance/ locum GPs compared to their principal or salaried GP...Healthwatch ask General Practice Committee for transparency on additional charges (14 Oct 2015)
The General Practitioners Committee (GPC) recently met with Healthwatch England to discuss charges that GPs can make for work not covered by their contract. Whilst the patient group understands the...New London Ambulance Service proposals to introduce non-emergency transport (14 Oct 2015)
London Ambulance Service (LAS) have consulted with us about a new service which they are implementing to help them manage the need for emergency ambulances more efficiently. A letter outlining...Meningococcal B for infants – FAQs update (14 Oct 2015)
NHS Employers have updated their vaccs and imms FAQs in relation to meningococcal B for infants to explain the eligible age cohort (2 – 13 months), as well as a catch-up...Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation (14 Oct 2015)
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have introduced revalidation for all nurses and midwives in the UK: the most significant change to regulation in a generation. Revalidation means that everyone...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.