Wiltshire GP Surgeries facing uncertain future, says MP
Lib Dem MP Sarah Gibson says the budget has taken GP's and Pharmacist's for granted
A Wiltshire-based MP has raised concerns over the future of GP Surgeries across the county, saying the Government's budget is taking GP's and Pharmacists for granted.
Speaking at a debate on the impact of the budget on NHS services, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson said primary health care providers, such as GP surgeries, face an uncertain future thanks to by the national insurance contribution tax hike and the reduction to the earning’s threshold.
Ms Gibson said: “Labour’s first budget was supposed to be a breath of fresh air for our primary health care. Instead, our GPs, pharmacists, and dentists, feel taken for granted by this budget.
“The rise in the employers’ National Insurance Contribution and the lowering of the earnings threshold is life threatening for GP practices
"They do not have the profit margins to absorb this cost, and they can’t pass costs on to their clients!" she concluded.
Ms Gibson has requested a meeting with Health Minister, Wes Streeting, in a bid to find a solution to the pressure primary care providers are facing -
such as making them exempt from the employer’s national insurance contribution rise.
Following the debate, Ms Gibson said:
“Without urgent action from this Labour government, GP surgeries will have to lose staff, reduce services, or worse, close altogether.
“One GP has told me they are seriously considering walking away from the profession they love, and I am sure they aren’t alone.
“As I said in the debate on Tuesday, our area cannot afford to lose one GP, let alone a whole GP practice – but that is the stark choice many GPs are now facing.”