Four in ten Brits – millions of patients – can’t get a GP appointment when they need one
The NHS poll also found that 30 per cent of patients struggle to get through to their surgeries on the phone
MILLIONS of NHS patients are unable to see a GP when they need to, a damning survey reveals.
A third of Brits struggle to get through to their surgery on the phone to book an appointment.
And four in ten are denied a consultation at a suitable time when they attempt to book.
Half of those with a preferred GP never get to see them – or only rarely.
That is despite studies showing patients who see the same GP have better health outcomes.
The NHS survey of 760,000 patients shows one in ten feel their GP could have listened to them more.
And one in eight was not given a good amount of time with a medic during their last appointment.
Poor access is piling pressure on A&Es, with a third of people who need help when their GP is closed choosing to go to straight to casualty.
Doctors’ leaders blame a lack of funding and too few doctors to cope with rising demand.
An ageing population, with multiple and increasingly complex illnesses, is partly to blame.
But almost all of those quizzed do have faith in their GP and feel involved in decisions about care.
And 84 per cent describe their overall experience of their GP practice as very or fairly good.
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, from the Royal College of GPs, said it was great that patients trust their doctors and appreciate their work.
But she warned some patients already face a three or four week wait to see a GP – and the wait could get longer.
Prof Stokes-Lampard added: “Patients are still waiting too long for a GP appointment and too many are not getting an appointment when they want one.
“As well as being frustrating for patients, and GPs, this is concerning.
“It means patients might not be getting the treatment they need in the early stages of their condition – and their conditions will potentially become more serious.
“The plain truth is that existing GPs and our teams are working to absolute capacity and we just don’t have enough GPs to offer enough appointments.
“It is essential that the government invests properly in general practice.”
MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWS
Dr Richard Vautrey, from the British Medical Association, said: “Patients are having to wait longer for appointments and are often unable to see their preferred doctor.
“This causes understandable frustration for both patients and GPs alike. Practices do not have the resources to meet the ever increasing demands of a growing population.”
Dr Nikita Kanani, from NHS England, said: “This survey shows patients appreciate the fantastic job GPs and the wider primary care work force are doing in times of real pressure.”
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk.
The Sun Says
THE latest damning statistics on patients’ access to GPs are deeply concerning.
Add to that the fact the heatwave has caused a “summer crisis” in the NHS and you’re entitled to wonder whether the promised £20billion already announced is going to be enough.
The short answer is it has to be, because there isn’t any more rattling around the back of the Treasury sofa — and the Tories can’t afford to choke off the economy with more borrowing or, even worse, any more tax hikes.
New Health Secretary Matt Hancock must get to grips with his brief quickly. That means more than wearing a new NHS badge and rightly praising the hard-working frontline staff.
He cannot shirk from the fight to make our health service more efficient and to prioritise cash where it’s needed.
Reform is never easy, not least with a tiny Parliamentary majority. There will be winners but losers too — and you can bet they’ll protest. But if not now, when?
An ageing population is only the most obvious challenge. Reform is vital to save the NHS for the next generation.
We hope he’s ready to ruffle feathers.