24 April 2017
Crucial That Any Future Government Delivers the Investment and Support GPs And Patients Right Across UK Need, Says RCGP
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, has responded to the Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement today of a snap general election, which could take place on 8 June.
She said: "It is vital that patient care is kept at the forefront of debate over the coming weeks. Once the new government is formed, we will continue to press for the urgent delivery of all the pledges made in NHS England's GP Forward View - and for equivalent investment in GP services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"The GP Forward View has support from across the political spectrum and promises an extra £2.4bn extra a year for general practice in England, plus 5,000 more GPs and 5,000 more members of the practice team by 2020.
"If delivered in full, it could be the lifeline that general practice in England needs to ensure we can continue to deliver quality care to our patients for years to come.
"Strong general practice means a stronger NHS, and regardless of the result in June, it is crucial that any future government delivers the investment and support that our family doctor service and our patients right across the UK so desperately need."
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7633
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 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.