“The crisis facing GP practices and the patients who rely on their care is one of retention as much as recruitment.
“A change to pension rules may help to reduce some early retirements, but it does not acknowledge the fact that general practice is currently a very difficult place to work, nor do GPs have the details necessary to give the certainty they need on pensions. Staff are struggling to maintain safe care against a headwind of increased patient need and long-standing underfunding, 12-plus hour working days and scape-goating from the Government. And the tin-eared imposition of a new Contact is further denting morale.
“Mr Hunt proposed more investment for GP practices in economically deprived areas, more resources for training and fewer targets whilst he Chaired the Health and Social Care Select Committee; it’s a great shame he has so quickly forgotten these ideas.
“GPs choose their job because they want to help their patients to live long, active and fulfilling lives, but if economic activity is now the only game in town the Government should consider that a record 3.8 million economically inactive 50-69 year olds report having a long-term health condition, at the same time as over seven million people are on NHS waiting lists. This is played out in consulting rooms across London with people who need specialist input seeking pain management, mental health support and reassurance from their GP as they wait on ever longer lists.”
Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, Deputy CEO, Londonwide LMCs