8 January
2007
"We are very concerned to
read of the reports on the NHS workforce which forecast GP
shortages. This does not meet the aspirations of patients who want
more good general practice. Everyone needs a good GP and both
patients and GPs want better access and longer consultation
times.
It does not make sense
that opportunities for flexible training and for GPs to return to
the NHS have been rescinded and training budgets, which are seen as
'soft' targets, are being cut to balance NHS service deficits. High
quality training for GPs must be safeguarded and cannot be
compromised, even in the short term.
The RCGP urges immediate
action to improve the quality and quantity of GP training,
otherwise we face unacceptable situations such as that in Canada,
where it has recently been reported that a significant proportion
of the population do not have access to a family doctor"
Professor Mayur Lakhani,
Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners
Ends