Former Dorset GP says the measures for doctors don’t go far enough
Retired GP and now Dorset councillor Jon Orrell says the measures announced by the Health secretary are just a plaster for a bigger wound facing GP’s
Last updated 15th Oct 2021
GP surgeries across Dorset that fail to provide an appropriate level of “access” will be named and shamed in league tables as patients given rights to face-to-face appointments.
The NHS is putting £250 million into new winter 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 new funding.
Jon Orrell a recently retired GP and now a councillor gave his views on the announcements:
“Well, I say it's a kind of mixed blessing, it's good that they come up with their positive idea of trying to address the crisis but I'm not certain the league table is the solution. The difficulty is it may act as a disincentive on the most hard-pressed areas as if the ones that are really struggling will get marked down on league table and the GP's there may retire so which would be a bit of an own goal”
The NHS said GP practices must respect preferences for face-to-face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary”.
GP appointment data will be published by spring – so people will be able to see how well their surgery performs compared to others. The NHS say this will enhance transparency and accountability.
GP surgeries which do not provide “appropriate levels” of face-to-face care will not be able to access the additional funding and will instead be offered support. Though it is not clear what the level of appointments need to be face-to-face.
Jon Orrell believes more is needed than just money:
“It's trying to see the positives, the health secretary did say some encouraging things this morning about GPS working hard which is true it's been quite a struggle through the pandemic. But we really need a bigger package of assistance and it's not just money it's the reforming the workforce and getting more people in and stopping people leaving.”