We must reduce GP burden
WHILST the announcement by the NHS to launch a new pilot in Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale to recruit more GPs from overseas will provide some much-needed relief for general practice in the short term, it does not go far enough to address the recruitment crisis underpinning general practice.
Overseas doctors make a valuable contribution to the NHS and will undoubtedly alleviate some of the pressure on general practice in the region as staff shortages have left many practices struggling to provide enough appointments and services to the public.
Yet despite repeated promises from the government, the latest figures show only a marginal increase of barely one per cent in the GP workforce in England and many that do work in the NHS are considering quitting the profession as the added stress of working under increasing pressure takes its toll.
To turn around this desperate situation, and both attract doctors trained in the UK as well as from overseas, the government must take urgent steps to reduce the unsafe workload burden carried by GPs and support them throughout their career so as to encourage them to stay before GP services are pushed to the brink of collapse. Dr Samira Anane BMA GP trainee subcommittee chair
PUT MONEY INTO NHS
REGARDING the Observer article on August 19, about Edenfield Road Surgery, “GPs are struggling... we need more support”.
I experience exactly the same problems along with hundreds of others at another surgery down the road.
It’s horrendous, 30-35 minutes on the phone.
No appointments when you actually get through, except on the rare occasions that they have one for four or five weeks later.
Doctors and nurses do a great job.
The government sends millions of pounds to other countries - put it into the NHS. Name and address supplied.
LOST PAL NOW FOUND
LAST month through the Observer letters page I appealed for information about a childhood friend Jacqueline Mary Lord with whom I had lost touch
I have had now an email from Jacqueline. I am beyond thrilled. Thank you so very much. Irena M Milloy ●●This image, titled horses that roam free on the moors with their foals, was taken in Syke and submitted by Kathy Whity. Email your pictures to us as rochdaleobserver@menmedia.co.uk or upload then to flickr.com/ group/rochdalepics