GPs seeing 'unsafe number of patients per day'

Some GPs are carrying out an "unsustainable" number of consultations, seeing up to 70 patients in a single day, it has been claimed.

This is more than double the number deemed "safe" by the European Union of General Practitioners, which sets a maximum level of 25 patients per day.

The Consortium of Lancashire and Cumbria Local Medical Committees (LMCs) revealed the figure at the end of a week in which GPs nationwide began an indefinite work-to-rule over funding for their practices.

Ms Tomlinson, chief operating officer of Consortium of LMCs, said prior to the work-to-rule beginning some Lancashire GPs were seeing more than double the safe number of patients in a shift.

"The demand is huge now – we’re hearing of GPs seeing 60 to 70 patients a day, which is not sustainable at all.

She said limiting the number to 25 would mean patients get "better, safer clinical time with a GP".

She said it would not deprive patients of the care they need and advised people "not to worry about phoning" their surgery if they were unwell.

"GPs are still wanting to see you. If [those choosing to cap daily patient numbers] reach that level, you will be diverted to out-of-hours [services], urgent treatment centres or 111 – so you will still be seen in a healthcare setting."

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Source: BBC News, 6 August 2024