Warning To Prevent GP Shortage In Middlesbrough

A new report has warned that action needs to be taken to prevent a potential GP crisis in Middlesbrough.

The council are meeting today to discuss the report, which says the town could face a shortage in GPs unless more younger doctors can be recruited.

The report also states that older GPs are choosing to retire earlier, leaving many clinics across the town searching for potential replacements.

Recommended solutions include a further reliance on walk-in centres and pharmacies, as well as more consultations conducted over the telephone.

Dr John Canning from the Cleveland Local Medical Committee consulted the council during the drafting of the report, and he told TFM more GPs must be tempted back into general practice.

He has some concerns about the possible loss of the doctor-patient relationship if people see a different doctor every time.

He said:"One of the things that I dislike the thought of is possibly less continuity, so you that don't see the people you see regularly.

"Rather more opportunities of people going to walk-in centres and being seen in different places, and I think that's a potential loss for patients."

Dr Canning says people shouldn't be worried about not being able to see a doctor, but there may be changes to the way that we use GPs in the future.