September 15th 2024.
The recent Darzi report shone a light on a concerning issue within the NHS - the shortage of GPs in the UK. It seems that many people seeking an appointment with their GP have been facing long waits, with over 10 million instances of waiting for a month or more recorded so far this year. This trend is set to continue, with 2024 projected to break records for the highest number of long wait times to see a family doctor in England.
The numbers are particularly worrying in Gloucestershire, the worst-performing area in the country, where 10.1% of appointments involve waits of four weeks or more. This comes on the heels of a damning report by Lord Darzi on the state of the NHS, which revealed that there are 16% fewer fully qualified GPs in the UK compared to other high-income countries when considering the population.
The Liberal Democrats, who brought these statistics to light, have called for the government to prioritize the NHS in their upcoming budget. Party leader Sir Ed Davey emphasized the urgency of addressing the GP crisis, as quicker access to primary care can prevent more serious medical issues and save taxpayers' money. He proposed giving individuals the right to see their GP within seven days, or within 24 hours for urgent matters.
The Darzi report also criticized the reforms implemented by former health secretary Andrew Lansley in 2012, which were put into effect during the coalition government with the Conservatives, where the Liberal Democrats were also involved. These reforms were described as a "calamity without international precedent" and "disastrous" by Lord Darzi, who conducted a rapid review of the NHS.
Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader and health spokesperson, admitted that she believes the Lansley reforms were a mistake. She shared that the party had fought hard during the coalition to protect the funding for healthcare and education, but ultimately, the reforms were pushed through.
Speaking at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton, Cooper and Davey will address the issue of healthcare policy, which has been a central topic at the event. This comes after the party's success in the last general election, where they went from 15 MPs to 72, the best result in their history. Both politicians are expected to focus on the NHS and the need for reform.
The Department of Health and Social Care responded to the report, acknowledging that the NHS is in need of repair. They recognized the neglect of general practice and promised to shift the focus of healthcare from hospitals to the community. The government has committed to hiring an additional 1,000 GPs by the end of the year and has allocated an extra £311 million towards GP contract funding in the upcoming year.
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