Many patients struggle to get appointments

AS GP leaders from around the UK gathered for their national conference it is clear that politicians of all parties must finally realise that services across the country are at breaking point.

Practices in Leicestershire are struggling due to the failure of successive governments to provide the investment needed to match the increasing demand on services. Underfunding, increased red tape and GP shortages have left many patients struggling to get appoint- ments, while 300 GP practices across the country are facing closure.

With recent BMA surveys revealing that over a third of GP partners in the East Midlands say they are unable to fill vacancies in the past year and 86 per cent said their workload is affecting their deliver of patient care, the situation requires urgent attention.

That’s why the BMA is calling for whoever is next in government to commit to bringing NHS spending in line with leading European countries and increase the general practice expenditure to 11 per cent of the overall health budget which would help plug the £2.5bn deficit.

Politicians must not duck these challenges.

All parties must commit to repairing the fractures in general practice before it is too late.

Dr Peter Holden GP and BMA East Midlands regional council chair