26 June 2017
Saddening to Hear of Patient Dissatisfaction with NHS Care, Says RCGP
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the RCGP, has responded to a new poll by the British Medical Association (BMA) which reveals that more people are dissatisfied with NHS care than satisfied.
She said: "It's saddening to hear that so many patients are not satisfied with the services they are now getting from the NHS, particularly as we know how much our patients love the health service, and historically satisfaction rates have been much higher.
"Specifically in general practice, GPs are consistently ranked amongst the most trusted healthcare professionals in the NHS; according to the latest GP Patient Survey over 90% had trust and confidence in the last GP they saw. But we also know that despite our best efforts patients are waiting longer and longer for appointments – and that this is frustrating for GPs and our teams, as well as patients.
"Workload in general practice has risen 16% over the last seven years according to recent research, but over the same period resources for our service have declined, and our workforce has not risen in step with patient demand.
"What's more, general practice makes the vast majority of patient contact in the NHS, for a small percentage of the overall budget. GPs and our teams keep the rest of the NHS afloat, so when we are under pressure and can't cope this reverberates right across the health service.
"We urgently need NHS England's GP Forward View, including promises for £2.4bn extra a year for general practice, 5,000 more GPs and 5,000 more practice team members, to be delivered in full as a priority, so that we can deliver the care our patients need and deserve - and alleviate pressures right across the health service."
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.