GPs apologise to patients in open letter over problems getting appointments

Dr Joanne Price, of Bay Medical Group in Morecambe, and Dr Gora Bangi, of Leyland Surgery, have signed a letter backing a campaign by RebuildGP which calls for the government to deliver on its promise to provide thousands more GPs.

In 2019, the Conservatives promised to deliver an additional 6,000 GPs by 2024 and the country is "still waiting", the letter claims.

According to recent statistics, there is on average one GP per 2,200 patients across the country, a five per cent rise since 2015.

The number of GPs has fallen by more than 1,500 since 2015.

Leyland Surgery doctor signs open letter apologising to patients

In addition to urging the government to deliver on its commitments, the open letter asks for more support “tackling the factors driving GPs out of the profession such as burn out,” and “a plan to reduce GP workload and in turn improve patient safety.”

The letter said: “We want to give great care, to meet you, to listen to you, and to look after you and your families.

"It may not feel this way right now, but all we can say is the truth. And the truth is – general practice is in crisis. Not because of us, or the staff who work with us.

"It is because of decades of underfunding and neglect, broken government promises and political contempt for you – our patients - that the system is fractured.”

Morecambe Health Centre, Bay Medical Group

Whilst waiting in the queue for Morecambe Health Centre of Bay Medical Group, a patient will hear that the surgery “is under significant work force measures meaning limited appointments are available.”

The letter, signed by the two Lancashire doctors, encourages patients to write to MPs to insist that they tackle the workforce and workload crisis in general practice.       

You can find out more about the campaign by visiting RebuildGP.co.uk