Waiting times worsen as record number of GPS plan to cut hours

PATIENTS are having to wait much longer to see a doctor as more GPS cut their hours, a report by the medical watchdog shows.

More than a third of family doctors have cut back in the last year – and two thirds are considering doing so this year, the survey by the General Medical Council (GMC) reveals.

Record numbers are already facing long waits to see a GP, with latest figures showing 34.3 per cent of patients waiting at least eight days.

The statistics show 5.8 million patients waiting for at least two weeks, and an 18 per cent rise since last year in the number waiting at least a month.

Boris Johnson has promised to tackle GP waiting times, with manifesto pledges to increase the number of GPS by 6,000.

In the survey of almost 4,000 medics, including more than 1,000 GPS, family doctors blamed long hours and increasing workloads for their distress.

One in three said patient care had suffered as a result of such pressures.

Currently, 46 per cent of GPS are contracted to work part-time, including 61 per cent of female GPS. Male GPS in their 30s and 40s were the most likely to be planning to cut their hours.

Doctors said they were struggling to cope with rising pressures, with almost half saying they were dissatisfied.

GMC chief executive Charlie Massey said more doctors were needed to “spread the burden” of work.

Rachel Power, the chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “Patients will clearly suffer if the availability of GPS reduces further.”

Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said the situation was “appalling”. “We already have far too few GPS, and such long waits to see a doctor – people are waiting for three weeks or more.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are working hard to recruit and retain more family doctors, with record numbers having accepted a GP training place.

“We’re backing primary and community care with an extra £4.5 billion by 2023/24 and are committed to expanding the workforce, harnessing the power of technology, and giving GPS the support they need.”