One in five patients waits two weeks to see a GP, finds report

[Northerner]

One in five patients now has to wait at least 15 days to see a GP in England, NHS figures have revealed.

Just under 5m of the 27.1m appointments at GPs’ surgeries in October involved waiting anywhere between 15 and 28 or more days to see a doctor or practice nurse. That was almost one in five (18.3%) of the total consultations available, NHS Digital figures showed.

The publication of the figures – the first of their kind ever issued by the NHS – have prompted renewed concern about how the rising demand for care and shortage of GPs are forcing patients to wait much longer than before for an appointment.

https://www.theguardian.com/society...s-at-least-two-weeks-to-see-a-gp-finds-report

Another example of a false economy because of all the cuts and 'efficiencies' - understaffing leading to greater expense in treatments etc.

 

[grovesy]

I read a newsletter on my Surgery's website yesterday saying they have been informed they are facing a £40,000 cut in funding next year. The list for new patients has been closed for nearly year.
They lost funding a couple of years ago so cuts in services have already been made.

 

[mikeyB]

It’s all part of the ongoing plan to privatise the GP service. Cut things to the bone so that people complain, tell the people that GPs are inefficient, then move in with Hancocks private GP on hand gang.

 

[grovesy]

It’s all part of the ongoing plan to privatise the GP service. Cut things to the bone so that people complain, tell the people that GPs are inefficient, then move in with Hancocks private GP on hand gang.

Well one if the local Private Hospitals around here has just gone in to administration too! It also provide private GP services. Lack of NHS referrals was one of the stated reasons for going bust.