DAUK’s GP committee is concerned the Government’s pledge to ‘bring back the family doctor’ is little more than political posturing.
Dr Steve Taylor, DAUK’s GP co-lead, spoke of his fears during an appearance on national television news.
Talk TV viewers were told that two GP surgeries were closing every week because of mounting financial pressures.
Viewers were also told that GP partnerships were also being threatened with more National Insurance costs.
Political slogan
Dr Taylor said the problems were largely due to funding failing to keep pace with inflation over the past decade.
He took to the social media platform X after the interview, and said: “Bringing back the Family Doctor’ – just a political slogan Wes Streeting.
“Two GP practices closing every week. GP partnerships threatened with more NI costs.
“Failure to increase funding over 10 years means £168/patient/year funds all services, £35 less than if it kept with inflation.”
Dr Taylor drew a stark comparison to the cost rail travel. He noted that his recent purchase of an off-peak return to London cost £17 more than the annual funding allocated per year for a patient’s GP access.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Just booked a return to London (off peak) £186!
GP practice
“£17 more than the amount my GP practice gets for a whole year of access, prescriptions, referrals, letters etc.
“Two thoughts: Trains are too expensive. GPs can’t afford to continue to provide everything for £168pa.”
Dr Taylor also highlighted the impact of increased National Insurance contributions on practices.
“The Government has given some money into general practice, but they’ve taken it away again with NI contributions,” he said.
“More NI costs seems like an extra nail in the coffin for some practices.”
Watch Dr Taylor’s interview in full on DAUK’s Instagram.
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