GPs attack ‘abuse’ over in-person care
GENERAL Practitioners have reacted with fury to Government plans to name and shame them over access to care, as the Health Secretary failed to address the profession at its annual conference.
The head of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) described the attack on medics from some politicians and sections of the media as “abuse” and said it was “demoralising and indefensible”.
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, also told delegates attending the RCGP conference in Liverpool that the topic of face-to-face appointments had “got rather more heat than it needs”, although he suggested there could be more in-person consultations.
However, he urged GPs to effectively ignore negative press, saying: “I would stick to the advice that is an old saying but it’s completely right, which is never worry about criticism from somebody you wouldn’t take advice from.”
He told GPs they are “outstanding”, adding: “I’m massively admiring of what all you have done, and continue to do, in the biggest public health challenge in our professional careers.”
Professor Martin Marshall, head of the RCGP, told delegates that GPs had worked tirelessly to support patients through the pandemic, and are now helping all those with conditions such as long Covid as well as patients on long NHS waiting lists.
He said GPs have found themselves at the centre of a “public storm over face-to-face appointments”.
Prof Marshall added: “This widespread vilification of hard working GPs and our teams is unfair, it’s demoralising and it’s indefensible. No-one working in general practice deserves this abuse.”
Prof Marshall criticised the move announced by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, adding: “The so-called support package for general practice in England announced this morning is most definitely not the answer to the challenges that we face in providing high quality care for our patients.”
It comes as long waits in A&E have risen to their worst level since records began. Some have argued that lack of access to GPs is a factor in growing pressures on A&Es.
Earlier, Dr Michael Mulholland, vice chair for professional development at the RCGP, told the college’s annual conference there had been a “change” to the line-up for the meeting and Mr Javid would not be addressing GPs.
Under the new plans, GP surgeries that fail to provide an appropriate level of “access” will be named and shamed in league tables as patients are given a new right to demand face-to-face appointments.
The NHS is ploughing millions of pounds into a new package of measures aimed at improving access to GPs but practices which fail to provide an “appropriate” level of face-to-face appointments will not be eligible for the funding.
NHS England said the measures, including a £250 million winter access fund – which is not new money – will enable GP practices to improve availability and increase face-to-face appointments.