Research shows Norfolk GPs now responsible for over two thousand patients each
The national number of patients to GPs has risen from 2,007 in June 2017 to 2,217 in March 2022
Last updated 5th May 2022
Each of Norfolk's GP are now responsible for more than 2,200 patients according to new research, using data from The House of Commons.
With the national ratio of patients to GPs rising from 2,007 in June 2017 to 2,217 in March 2022.
It's understood the balance between doctors and patients has widened over the last five years across the UK because the number of qualified doctors has fallen by over a thousand, while the number of patients has soared by over three million.
"We are now a further 2,000 behind that"
Dr Tim Morton is a GP and chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Local Medical Committee.
He says they desperately need to hire more doctors: "Back in 2015, we were promised 6,000 more GPs nationally, we are now a further 2,000 behind that. So an equivalent of 8,000 GPs are needed to provide the service for the patients of this country.
"GPs in the county are working harder than ever. In fact, recent data from the last month nationally shows that GPs in the country have seen an extra 4 million patients, despite there being no increase in GPs.
"These GPs, as well as doing work within practices, are propping up A&E departments and out of hours services, are teaching and training the next generation of doctors in addition to their clinical work."
"This isn't filling the gaps"
Dr Morton went on to tell us our aging workforce won't help the situation either: "In the county we have over 25% of GPs in the over 55 year age group, which will lead to a further fall in the GP workforce in the near future.
"The Government promises that they are training more GPs and doctors more generally, but this isn't filling the gaps."