DAUK’s GP co-lead said employing more GPs was the key to improving access to general practice as he challenged the Health Secretary on national radio.
Dr Steve Taylor was invited on to the Nick Ferrari Show on LBC to discuss comments by Wes Streeting about new online access to general practice.
Mr Streeting and health minister Stephen Kinnock have said the changes will ‘end the 8am scramble’ for appointments.
Employ more GPs
However, without employing more GPs and creating more appointments, the change has simply opened up an additional avenue for requesting an appointment.
“Online forms are not appointments,” Dr Taylor said.
Dr Taylor posted on social media highlighting that two practices recently visited by Mr Kinnock had temporarily switched off their online consultation systems early.
One was at 6pm, and another stopped requests after 4.30pm, except for administrative queries.
BMA safeguards
Both were examples of safeguards recommended by the BMA, he said, but would put the surgeries in breach of the GP contract.
Dr Taylor told LBC listeners most practices were doing ‘pretty well’ in delivering online access.
He added that the profession wanted to offer an even better service, but was limited by a shortage of GPs.
“GPs want to provide excellent access for their patients,” Dr Taylor said. “But the reality is that we’ve got too much demand and not enough GPs.”
GP appointments
General practice delivered around 40 million appointments in the last month alone, equivalent to two-thirds of the population, Dr Taylor said.
But he added that many patients still struggled to book an appointment, particularly those who found digital systems difficult to navigate.
“Around 25% of the population find online routes challenging or can’t use them at all,” he said.
“Practices work hard to ensure phone lines and walk-ins are available, but without enough GPs, demand will always outstrip supply.”
Health Secretary
Asked how people who work in the NHS view Mr Streeting, Dr Taylor said many felt unheard by him.
“I think we’re all a bit unhappy with him,” Dr Taylor said. “He talks well and is very amenable on breakfast shows and TV interviews.
“But there’s a feeling he’s pushing through his way without listening to those on the ground.”
“GPs are doing an amazing job under immense pressure. What we’re asking for is the resources to do it properly.”
Listen again to Dr Taylor and Mr Streeting on LBC via the DAUK Instagram.
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