Your GP, Here for You

A partnership between doctors and patients

DAUK’s GP committee is calling on patients to join us in our campaign to restore general practice to the heart of the NHS. “Your GP, Here for You” is about building a real partnership between doctors and patients to improve healthcare for everyone.

Dr Steve Taylor, DAUK’s GP co-lead, has been at the forefront of highlighting the crisis facing general practice. His research and advocacy work has shone a light on the challenges GPs face and the impact on patient care.

The Crisis in General Practice

The numbers tell a stark story:

• 1,790 fewer fully qualified full-time equivalent GPs working in the NHS compared to September 2015
• A single full-time GP is now responsible for an average of 2,292 patients — 354 more than in September 2015
• Despite this, GP practices are offering record numbers of appointments for their patients
• GPs are working harder than ever, but systemic underfunding is undermining patient care

What We’re Fighting For

GPs want to provide the best possible care for their patients. But years of underfunding, workforce shortages, and bureaucratic burden are making this increasingly difficult. Our campaign calls for:

• Investment in general practice — Proper funding to recruit and retain GPs
• A patient-centered contract — Moving away from tick-box bureaucracy towards meaningful care
• Continuity of care — Enabling patients to see the same GP who knows their history
• Recognition of GP workload — Acknowledging that GPs are doing more with less
• Addressing GP unemployment — Ensuring trained GPs can find work in the NHS

GPs Are Doing Their Best

Dr Taylor’s research has revealed that many GPs are underemployed or struggling to find work, despite the immense demand for GP services. This paradox highlights the systemic failure in workforce planning that affects both doctors and patients.

As Dr Taylor has said: “In simple terms, practices haven’t had enough money to employ the new GPs that we are training. There are doctors that are unemployed, and a large proportion of GPs are underemployed — they are not working the hours they’d want to work.”

How You Can Help

Patients and doctors need to work together to save general practice. Here’s how you can support the campaign:

• Contact your MP — Tell them general practice needs proper investment
• Share your story — Help highlight the impact of GP shortages on patient care
• Support DAUK — Join as a member or donate to our crowdfunder
• Spread the word — Share this campaign with friends and family

DAUK in the Media

DAUK’s GP committee has been at the forefront of media coverage on general practice issues. Our spokespeople have appeared on Sky News, BBC, ITV, LBC, and in national newspapers including The Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Mail, helping to ensure the reality of general practice is heard.

Dr Steve Taylor’s data and statistics on the NHS and general practice have helped build an extensive following and inserted DAUK into important social media conversations about healthcare policy.

Join the Campaign

Your GP is here for you. Now we need you to be here for your GP. Together, we can fight for a properly funded, sustainable general practice that works for patients and doctors alike.

Follow DAUK’s GP Committee on social media: @DAUK_GP on X