We need more GPs - not targets, says College President

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, RCGP President, has responded to reports that the Prime Minister is considering a new target for improving patients’ experience of making a GP appointment.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said:  “Patients should be able to get a GP appointment when they need one,and it is encouraging that the Government sees general practice as a top NHS priority. However, any new access targets must reflect the significant workload pressures and workforce shortages currently facing general practice and we would be concerned if this were not fully taken into account.

“GP teams want their patients to be able to access safe, timely and appropriate care and are already working incredibly hard to improve patients’ experience of contacting their surgery. 

“Demand for GP services continues to rocket but setting another target will not, on its own, make it easier for patients to get the care they need. Practices have made significant changes in recent years, including upgrading telephone systems, expanding online routes and improving care navigation.

“But these measures can only go so far in an overstretched system and there are simply not enough GPs to meet patients’ needs. Also, any approach to improving access satisfaction must work for all patients, including those who may struggle to use digital systems, and we must ensure that no-one is left behind.

“GPs want their patients to have a good experience of general practice, but GPs need to be appropriately supported and resourced to deliver that. This means expanding the GP workforce, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, investing properly in general practice, and ensuring funding follows patients into the community, where the majority of NHS care is delivered.” 

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659

press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.