8 June 2018
New Report Provides 'Fascinating Insight' Into Progress Of GPFV, Says College
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "NHS England's GP Forward View makes more than 100 pledges, each of which, if implemented correctly should benefit general practice, and make our working lives easier, in the best interests of the care we are able to deliver for patients.
"The BMA has provided a fascinating insight on the progress of the GPFV, and we will take their report into account when we release our own comprehensive analysis, and recommendations, in the coming months.
"Their predictions around practice closures is deeply concerning - of course, some practices will close as the result of a proactive merger, or to join a federation of practices in in order to pool resources, which can lead to huge benefits for patients.
"But the stark reality is that many others are being forced to permanently shut their doors because of the intense resource and workforce pressures they are facing as they strive to meet escalating demand. In some instances, this can leave patients with long distances to travel to see a GP, particularly in remote and rural areas.
"Efforts laid out in the GPFV to build the profession by 5,000 GPs by 2020 are simply not working fast enough and it’s essential that new, innovative measures are put in place to rectify this, including recruiting more qualified professionals from overseas. Ultimately, NHS England must not give up on delivering the GP Forward View urgently, and in full, but where initiatives are not going to plan, they need to be refreshed, and efforts to deliver them must be stepped up."
Further Information
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press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.