GPs in no rush

GPS are not ‘rushing’ patients through appointments (Mail).

To say so is to discredit hard-working and over-stretched doctors who are working to their limits, providing more consultations and care to patients than before the pandemic, despite having an insufficient workforce and resources to do so.

There were more than 25 million GP appointments in April with almost half of patients seen on the day the appointment was booked and most appointments lasting more than ten minutes.

Sometimes, five minutes with a healthcare professional is adequate for a blood test or simple medication review. However, most of the time a longer appointment is required for patients with complex health needs.

The royal College of GPs thinks 15-minute appointments should be standard. But for this to happen, we need urgent government investment in increasing the number of GPs.

Professor MARTIN MARSHALL, Royal College of general Practitioners, london NW1.