Lincolnshire GPs offer 25% more appointments than before the pandemic

GPs in Lincolnshire are offering more appointments than before the pandemic, but this has not solved the issue of demand.

Demand in GPs has changed over the years according to a Lincolnshire Health Boss.

15 years ago, people went to a GP around four times a year, but now that's closer to 10 times a year.

This is said to be the cause of extreme pressure in General Practices.

There was no significant dip over the summer

Dr Reid Baker, the Director of the Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee, a representative body for GPs and their Practices, says it comes down to a change in trends:

"This summer was exceptional, and when we've had those cold days recently, it really puts into perspective how the weather changes season in the UK now, and it does affect things. Often in the summer, understandably people are well in themselves as less viruses are circulating, and people are more active.

There's lots of reasons that contribute to why people are a bit healthier over the summer. But we did see increased consultations in general practices, across the system because people were dehydrated, they have the effects of the heat, they had sunstroke, etcetera.

"The only pattern we've really seen is that there's been no significant dip over the summer this year.

Sometimes there's a period, although it's always busy in the NHS of summer, its seen as a time when hopefully the NHS can can recover from a really difficult winter.

But without that and with the workforce shortage as well, it's not helped in terms of the run into winter.

"Just looking in terms of general practice, data for November showed about 470,000 appointments in Lincolnshire just for one month, which is about 6 in every 10 residents in Lincolnshire having an appointment with the GP practice.

But if that's the ongoing pattern, we need to see what options we've got for these patients."

Dr Reid is also a GP, that works out of the Woodhall Spa practice.

It's the busiest winter we've known for many years

He says there's a lot of pressure across all services:

"I think we see every year that the NHS is busier as you can understand.

There is more medical conditions going around, particularly cold, flu, etcetera.

We've really seen increases in the last couple of months, in terms of the demand on the whole of the NHS.

"But obviously, from my role, primarily in general practice, we know our hospital colleagues are really struggling with it, and we know our wider colleagues are really struggling with demand and all sectors of the NHS.

"In general practice, we are the busiest we've ever been and like all sectors, it's really difficult, because there's a workforce shortage across the whole of the NHS, and so it's a really difficult time, and I think it's acknowledged widely from all organizations in the NHS.

This is the busiest winter we've known for many years already."