Dear member, The BMA launched materials this week, to help you understand the practical implications of crashing out of the EU and take any necessary steps to safeguard you and your patients, including an updated no-deal Brexit briefing A health service on the brink: the dangers of a no-deal Brexit and information for doctors. The latter has a section on access to medicines which links to guidance on how to prepare for serious shortages.
BMA council chair Chaand Nagpaul said: ‘Cancelled operations, missed cancer treatment targets and patients in corridors waiting for hours on end to be seen; recent winters have seen unprecedented scenes unfold in our hospitals, GP surgeries and across the NHS, with patients suffering and staff under increasing pressure as resources and capacity struggle to keep up with rocketing demand. Add to this a no-deal Brexit and the disintegration of the health service becomes an ever more real prospect.’ Read his full statement
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Following the BMA’s analysis of the pressures on the NHS in England we are now able to present more detailed figures specifically relating to GP pressures on a monthly basis. The figures for July are (based on NHS Digital data):
• The total number of appointments at GP surgeries in England was 27,010,000 in July 2019, a 7.7% rise on the previous July • The total number of patients rose by 732,000 to 59,911,000, leaving each fully qualified GP responsible for an average of 2,120 patients; an extra 68 patients each compared to last July. • Despite delivering an extra 771,000 same-day appointments this July, 17.4% of appointments recorded involved a wait of more than two weeks, up from 15.6% last July. The number of appointments involving a wait of more than 28 days were up 25% on last July to 1,216,000. The figures show that 31.2% of appointments in July 2019 involved a wait of more than one week. • The 2019 GP patient survey found that only 3.8% of respondents wanted an appointment with a one-week wait or more.
This latest data shows the continuing trend of rising demand, with patient numbers increasing. This pressure is worsened by the loss of 576 fully qualified GPs compared with last year, leaving each GP with a greater workload.
Workforce pressures were also reflected in NHS Digital’s annual GP earnings and expenses report for 2017/18 published last week. GPs committee executive member Krishna Kasaraneni said: ‘These figures suggest that years of repeated, real-terms pay cuts for GPs are starting to be reversed. However, while earnings may have gone up, the number of doctors continues to fall with the NHS in England losing more than 800 partners alone over the same period. As patient demand rises and the workforce gets smaller GPs are taking on more work – often in excess of their contracted hours. This places a huge amount of strain on GPs who are putting their own health and wellbeing at risk to ensure their patients get the best care possible.’ |
The Primary Care Digital Operating Model 2019–21 (previously known as the GP IT Operating Model) has been published. It covers the policies, standards and operating procedures that clinical commissioning groups are obliged to work to and support the provision of digital requirements under the GP contract. There are also regional events scheduled during the coming weeks to support commissioners and others to better understand the changes and requirements. |
New medical director for primary care in England
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I would like to congratulate Nikki Kanani who has been appointed as the new NHS England and NHS Improvement medical director for primary care after her role as acting director last summer.
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The BMA is holding a wellbeing conference for members on 8 November 2019. The event is an opportunity to acquire tools to support your personal wellbeing and professional fulfilment as well as your colleagues. It will provide an opportunity to learn, in supportive interactive sessions, the five steps to mental wellbeing as recommended by the NHS: connect, be active, keep learning, give to others and be mindful.
Read more and register |
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The BMA’s forensic and secure environments committee is looking for a doctor providing primary healthcare in forensic psychiatric hospitals in the UK, and a doctor providing general forensic medical services or sexual offence medical services in the UK to join the committee for the 2019–20 session. To nominate and vote you must be a BMA member and a doctor working in the respective specialty/area of practice. You have until 20 September to nominate. The election will take place online and can be accessed via the BMA’s elections page. |
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