The Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK) has set out its vision to end the crisis in general practice and improve outcomes for patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DAUK\u2019s GP committee issued a 10-point plan to relieve the pressure on general practice and GPs, improve access, reduce mortality rates, lower hospital admissions and improve patient satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was set out during an online election briefing – Why Can’t I See My GP? The Great British Paradox – which was attended by prospective parliamentary candidates, as well as members of the media and DAUK members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Lizzie Toberty, DAUK\u2019s GP lead, said: \u201cWe need patients to be able to see a GP who knows them and understands their needs in a timely way wherever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve set out a 10-point plan that will allow that and restore general practice to being the cornerstone of the NHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not asking for the earth \u2013 our manifesto for primary care is within reach of whoever makes up the next government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur solutions are workable and will have a transformational effect on general practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFollow them and continuity of care and all its benefits of reduced mortality rates, lower hospital admissions, and improved patient satisfaction will be the result.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAUK\u2019s 10-point manifesto for primary care:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Sarah Jacques, a GP based in Sussex and member of DAUK\u2019s GP committee, shared her own powerful story as she discussed the immense strain that family doctors are working under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She highlighted the violence, abuse, and intimidation that GPs regularly face and the impact of the job on their mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that an increase in demand and reduction in workforce, the scapegoating of general practice for wider NHS problems, and long waits for urgent and routine outpatient appointments all contributed to the pressure on GPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jacques said: \u201cWithout general practice, The NHS won\u2019t survive. We see a vast number of the patients that use the NHS, and we deal with most of what people need from the health service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re not there, secondary care services will just be completely overwhelmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Steve Taylor, a GP in Manchester and member of DAUK\u2019s GP committee, told the briefing that GPs have 1.3m daily patient contacts, the largest of any part of the NHS, including hospital outpatient appointments (250,000), and A&E contacts (67,000), and yet it receives just 5.6 per cent of the NHS budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cAnd as the workload for GP practices has increased by 20 per cent, so funding has decreased by 20 per cent per patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn average one GP has 2,295 patients when the widely recognised safe limit is one GP per 1,800 people. So in England, we\u2019re 7,000 GPs short of safe levels, which adds even more pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAUK\u2019s vice chair Ellen Welch, a GP in the North West of England, spoke about the solutions including financial investment into general practice, investment in the workforce, and continuity of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: \u201cSolution number we could achieve fairly quickly with significant results is to create a cross-party NHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t need more reforms. We need stabilisation of the NHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemove the NHS from short-term decision making based on party politics, and form a cross-party group to make longer term decisions for the provision of<\/p>\n\n\n\n
health and social care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The briefing is available to watch again by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n