Top doctor warns GP services are ‘skating on thin ice’ as Brits could wait a MONTH for an appointment amid winter surge
Royal College of GPs head Helen Stokes-Lampard expresses 'profound concern' that the service may not be able to cope with demand this winter
PATIENTS have been warned they face waiting up to a month to see a family doctor as surgeries struggle with a winter surge in demand.
Britain’s leading GP Helen Stokes-Lampard has admitted “profound concern” over a service “skating on thin ice”.
The doctor, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said people may be seriously harmed by the delay.
But she claimed there is little that can be done about it because the NHS is operating at the brink — with no excess capacity. She said some patients are already waiting two or three weeks to see a GP for non-urgent matters, such as suspect lumps or bleeding problems.
But if they have to wait longer, these may become “urgent” or “life-threatening”.
Dr Stokes-Lampard, a GP in Lichfield, Staffs, said: “We have got a service already stretched desperately thin.
“We have mopped up all our resilience already. What you’re left with is goodwill and professionalism being all that’s left holding it together.”
She added: “My profound concern is that people will delay seeking help for things that could potentially be life-threatening or life-changing if they are not tackled swiftly.”
The doctor is also worried that patients with long-term diseases risk being sidelined as GPs tackle urgent cases.
She said: “My worry, the big fear, is that if we rein back on preventative care and chronic disease management because we are too busy firefighting the urgent stuff, the knock-on consequences could take years to manifest but will be very serious indeed. And that would be a tragedy.”
related stories
Jane Mordue, who chairs patient group Healthwatch England, said: “The strain on the NHS, in particular GPs, has not gone unnoticed by the public. But such words from one of our most senior doctors will undoubtedly be cause for concern for many.”
Labour’s Shadow Health Minister Julie Cooper said there is a “full-scale crisis in the NHS at every level”.
NHS England said: “GP services are on track to receive an extra £2.4billion in real terms investment by 2020 to build on a record of success and expand access to convenient appointments throughout the week.”
How long have you had to wait to see your GP?
BETTER CALL PAUL with Paul Ross on 0344 499 1000
Listen on DAB, via the talkRADIO app or online at