The Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK) has written to senior MPs on both sides of the House of Commons calling for urgent action to resolve the ongoing funding and staffing crisis in general practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In their letter to ministers and shadow ministers, DAUK’s GP Leads Dr Lizzie Toberty and Dr Steve Taylor said that patient safety was being put at risk by underfunding and staff shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter was sent to Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Primary Care Minister Andrea Leadsom, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Shadow Primary Care Minister Preet Gill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It called for an increase in core funding for primary care, significant investment in estates and IT, and support for GPs to make \u201cinformed local decisions for their communities\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their letter said: \u201cThe rapid increase in non-doctor staff, the push towards working at scale, and persistent funding cuts have contributed to a rise in missed diagnoses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have prioritised broad access and seeing any available clinician over the well-documented benefits of continuity of care with a GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContinuity of care is known to reduce mortality<\/a>, reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions<\/a>, and improve patient satisfaction<\/a>. If these benefits were replicated by a medication, it would be prescribed universally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYet, the current conditions in primary care are the antithesis of this ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The letter highlights the fall in funding for primary care from 12% to 8% of the NHS budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It said: \u201cThe per-patient funding for primary care stands at \u00a3164 <\/a>annually, regardless of visit frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis amount is comparatively lower than many will spend on phone contracts, festival tickets or pet insurance. Adjusted for inflation, the funding should be closer to \u00a3197<\/a> per patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe consistent devaluation and defunding of general practice are now manifesting in detrimental outcomes for patients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Toberty and Dr Taylor said DAUK stands ready for discussions with the Conservative Government and the Labour Opposition to develop plans \u201cwhich enable continuity of care at their core\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Commenting on the letter, Dr Toberty said: \u201cWe have a shortage of GPs in the UK and need sustained investment to address that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd we need a whole system approach based on continuity of care with a GP – and we need it now to ensure the best levels of service for patients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n