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\u201cWe don\u2019t agree that GPs are \u2018dishing out\u2019 sick notes. GPs are often best placed to understand the full circumstances of a person sat before them or on the phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReform of sick notes could be an extension of self-certification, similar to during the pandemic, when it was extended to 28 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GP funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUltimately GPs need resources not cuts, which currently is the experience of general practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd with a properly resourced primary care, we can do so much to prevent illness and do so much to help get people back into work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Streeting set out how, if voted in at the next election, a Labour Government would tackle the crisis facing general practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course GPs are having a real problem with their work load,\u201d Mr Streeting said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we want to sort this problem out then let’s deliver 2 million more appointments a year to cut NHS waiting lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mental health support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s have mental health support in every school. Let\u2019s have mental health hubs in every community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet’s double the number of scanners so we can diagnose earlier and treat faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we can get people treated and back on their feet we can get them back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris Philps, the Policing Minister, told the programme there were 850,000 more people on long-term sick since the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discussing plans announced by the Government this week to strip GPs of their power to sign people off and replace them with \u2018specialist work and health professionals\u2019, he was asked by host Fiona Bruce what makes them more qualified to sign people off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Philps said: \u201cThis is a very particular specialisation. They will be trained to identify what people can do, what they\u2019re able to do rather than just sign them off as sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GPs under pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGPs are under lots of pressure. We would rather they were seeing patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is also a concern that GPs being busy, being under pressure, might just be a little bit too quick to sign off a sick note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaving someone who is specialised in that area and who can think about what the individual is able to do, what things can they do with their condition, is a slightly more constructive way to look at it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats\u2019 education spokesperson, said: \u201cPeople who can\u2019t work desperately want to work but are stuck on NHS waiting lists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the Lib Dems would introduce a \u2018GP guarantee\u2019 that you could see a GP within seven days by recruiting another 8,000 GPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe also need to talk about public health,\u201d she added. \u201cWe need to help people to stay well better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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