Your GP Cares Campaign
GP surgeries are at the heart of our communities. They are the cornerstone of the NHS. But there are problems. GPs are facing increasing challenges which are affecting their ability to deliver services as we all would expect.
Demand for appointments keeps rising. Older and vulnerable people with complex issues need to spend more time with their GP. The number of people over 65 in the UK reached 10.8 million in 2012 and there are more than 18 million people, with at least one long-term condition such as asthma, arthritis or diabetes.
Pressures on the system are resulting in GPs retiring early and doctors are not choosing general practice as a career. Therefore it is likely that there will be fewer GPs to go around despite the increasing demand and the situation could get worse year-on-year.
That is why the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee has launched a new campaign, Your GP cares, to highlight some of the pressing issues facing general practice. Your GP and practice team care about the current situation and want to work with patients and government to find solutions and provide a better service. The BMA is calling for long term, sustainable investment in GP services now to:
- Attract, retain and expand the number of GPs
- Expand the number of practice staff
- Improve the premises that GP services are provided from
Those interested in finding out more about the campaign can find additional information on the BMAs campaign pages at: BMA campaigns.