Thread by @drgandalf52

If you think seeing a GP is tough, unfortunately it is about to get so much worse...

Here is a thread why, and spoilers, it is going to be controversial as it goes along 🧵⤵️

1/x

Firstly, General Practice was in a difficult place before COVID happened and pivoted overnight to create remote access to keep patients safe.

It then delivered the majority of the national 'World beating' vaccination scheme. 2/x

There were definitely changes in access, much of it dictated by @NHSEngland and infection control policies which are still in practice still in some way, and vilified by certain parts of the media 3/x

Jump to recent times and our hospital colleagues are still reeling from the largest health backlog ever seen, compounded by a growing crisis of demand on all acute services especially AE and ambulance crews. 4/x

And the demand backlog is even larger.

Health issues, mental health challenges, uncertainty and austerity make for a toxic mix creating escalating demand 📈 5/x

So regardless of it all GP workload has been increasing while the number of practices and GPs reduces.

Many leaving or reducing hours due to burnout, bureaucracy (especially pensions), workload and ill health (much driven by the factors above) 6/x

So how can it get worse?

Well the government agrees to a DDRB pay uplift for NHS staff of 4.5%.....

The reason this makes it worse:

1. Like most know it won't cover inflation leaving staff feeling further undervalued
2. There is no resource increase to cover it 7/x

The government feel a 5y deal made pre-covid is suffice to deal with all the recent and future financial and system challenges to provide service to patients.

Here is the link:

pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-… 8/x

So GP practices now have to pay like everyone else for all the increases in costs, juggle backlog bottlenecks, with less GP workforce than before, and higher expectations and more bureaucracy .... With no additional resources. 9/x

But what about all those funds we heard about last year like vaccinations, winter access etc.

Yes extra resources... All with additional work needed doing to gain the funding.

As they say there is no free money. 10/x

How does this relate to access?

Well let's review.

Practices will have:
📈Higher costs
⬆️More work while the system crumbles
📉Less workforce as all leaving
⛔No extra resources to pay for it

What do you think will happen to GP access and care?

#nhs #MedTwitter 11/11

Ranting or telling the truth? @keithgrimes @dave_dlt @DustynSaint @annalise2406 @Parody_RCGP @doctor_katie @DrShanHussain @DrNeenaJha @DrSimonHodes @DrJonGriffiths @DrFJameel @MFAminGP @NikkiKF @Jeremy_Hunt @SteveBarclay @CNagpaul @MartinRCGP @SonaliKinra @THCPrimarycare