GPs value their patients but are struggling with limited resources

We want to continue providing you with the timely, high-quality care you deserve. But behind the scenes, general practice is being pushed to its absolute limit.

• Increasing demand:

  GP practices deliver an average of 1.5 million appointments every single working day.

• Growing population:

  In 2015, one full-time GP cared for roughly 1,900 patients. Today, that single doctor is responsible for almost 2,200 patients.

• Fewer GP practices:

  1,470 GP practices have closed or merged since 2015.  

Read more on the pressures facing general practice

What GPs want for patients

Your GP is an expert in general medical practice who understands your healthcare needs and helps guide your care, including deciding when you may need specialist care.

GPs want to: 

• protect safe, high-quality patient care
• ensure your personal information stays safe and confidential
• support continuity of care with a GP who knows you
• keep your right to access care in a way that works for you – whether online, by phone, or in person.*

*While online consultation systems can make access to care quicker and easier for many people, they do not work for everyone. Older patients, disabled patients and those less confident using digital tools may find them difficult to use. We believe that you should always have a choice about how you access care.

GPs are taking collective action to stand up for patients

Over the coming months, GP practices will take one additional action each month, which may impact the way practices operate.

These actions are designed to protect the future of general practice and support patients and communities. 

Protecting your health information

GP practices are facing increasing pressure to share patient information more widely across the healthcare system and with external organisations.

While sharing data can help improve services and support research, your health information is personal and sensitive. Your GP is legally responsible for protecting your medical record and making sure any sharing of your information is lawful, safe and in your best interests. As part of collective action, practices may stop agreeing to new voluntary data sharing arrangements for uses that are not directly related to your care.

This will not affect the care you receive from your GP or other healthcare professionals involved in your treatment. GPs believe your health information must be handled safely, responsibly and with clear patient choice.

Ensuring safe shared care arrangements

Practices are reviewing “shared care” agreements, where a hospital specialist and your GP share responsibility for your treatment and prescriptions. GPs will only enter into these agreements when formal, clear, and clinically safe plans are in place. This will not stop you from receiving your necessary medications; it simply ensures your care is managed safely and communication is clear.

How you can support your family doctor 

Join the patient participation group at your local practice 

Join to support the practice and influence the way they deliver local services. Download our slide deck to display at your surgery (Password: GPsOnYourSide). 

Ask your surgery receptionist for further information about the existing group or details on how you might start one up. These slides are available to consider showing at a PPG meeting. 

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