WIREDGOV

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that at least 100 GP surgeries in England stopped receiving new patients during 2014/15.

This means that there are now almost 300 surgeries in England that are not taking on any new patients. The British Medical Association (BMA) has said that many are at “breaking point” as they do not have enough staff to deal with demand.

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association said:

“This news is very worrying for patients, who we know are already struggling to access primary care services. This means that even more patients are having difficulty in making or finding a GP appointment. When primary care services cannot cope with patient demand, many end up going to A&E unnecessarily, adding to the strain on acute and emergency services. 

The Patients Association calls on the Government to provide greater investment across primary care. There must be an emphasis on filling and increasing GP training places, but also on ensuring that there are enough practice nurses and pharmacists for patients to see. There must also be a focus on increasing retention within primary care, so that experienced GPs are encouraged to stay within the NHS. This will help to relieve the strain on primary care services and increase its capacity to provide the care that patients need.” 

Notes for Editors 

The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, and has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the Health and Social care system. 

For further information please contact the Patients Association on 020 8423 9111 alternatively you can call 07779 004898.

You can also visit us on our website at www.patients-association.org.uk

You can also view our All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Patient Safety at http://www.patientsassociation.org.uk/policy-campaigns/all-party-parliamentary-group-patient-safety/