Under pressure

A spokesman for NHS England South said: “We know GPs are under pressure across the country, seeing more patients with more complex conditions, with some practices also experiencing challenges recruiting and retaining doctors.

“Our national General Practice Forward View, developed alongside Health Education England and in discussion with the Royal College of GPs and other representatives, sets out a national plan to stabilise and transform general practice and to invest in new ways of providing primary care, to address the challenges facing doctors and to improve access to services for patients.

“This includes investing in premises and technology, plus plans to increase the number of GPs and other health professionals working in practices, including pharmacists and mental health professionals, who can offer more specific services and free-up doctors to treat the most ill patients.”