In response to the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our CEO, said:
“Prioritising health is the right decision, but this money needs to be used wisely. Meeting patient demand will still be a major challenge within the Government’s announced planned spending. I urge Ministers to listen to Lord Darzi regarding the strong financial management and associated cost-effectiveness offered by general practice, and what is needed to realise improvements in access, care, and innovation, and relieve pressures on acute hospitals.
“If GPs are allowed the time and capacity to improve continuity of care, build relationships with local communities and offer longer appointments to patients with complex needs, general practice can help create communities of healthier patients, demanding less of hospitals and actively supporting economic growth as more people are well enough to work.
“More time to focus on really understanding the needs of patients and less time trying to navigate them through a fractured NHS system would improve GP job satisfaction, which in turn would improve retention and be a genuine investment in preventative care through long term, holistic, community-based care. Investing in preventative care by resourcing general practice to keep patients well offers the best value for money.”