😢 Face-to-face GP Appointments

Commons Chamber

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During a parliamentary session, Richard Tice highlighted the tragic case of Laura Barlow, who died from undiagnosed cancer after receiving only telephone consultations, emphasizing the need for more face-to-face GP appointments. Tice called for a patient’s right to in-person consultations, pointing out that current face-to-face appointments in the UK are significantly lower than in other European countries. The Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, acknowledged the importance of in-person consultations and announced improvements in the GP contract, including increased funding and efforts to reduce bureaucratic burdens on GPs. The government aims to enhance patient access to face-to-face appointments and improve overall cancer care through a forthcoming national cancer plan.

Summary

  • Tragic Case Highlighted: Richard Tice discussed the heartbreaking story of Laura Barlow, a 33-year-old mother who died from cancer. Laura initially received a telephone consultation and a misdiagnosis, leading to delays in her treatment and ultimately her death. Her case highlighted the need for more face-to-face GP appointments.

  • Decrease in Face-to-Face Appointments: In 2019, 80% of GP appointments were face-to-face, but by recent figures, this has dropped to just over 64%. This is significantly lower than the 84-85% average in other European countries.

  • Importance of Face-to-Face Consultations: Tice argued that face-to-face consultations are crucial for accurate diagnoses because GPs can physically assess patients and pick up on cues that may not be apparent over the phone or video.

  • Public Struggles and System Failures: Jim Shannon pointed out that many constituents, often elderly, struggle to get timely face-to-face appointments. The current system often leads to frustration and delays.

  • Pressure on GPs: The number of full-time equivalent GPs has remained static over the past decade, while the patient list per GP has increased from about 1,900 to 2,300. This has led to increased reliance on telephone and video consultations to manage workload.

  • Bureaucratic Burdens: Tice highlighted that nearly 50% of GPs consider retiring within five years, largely due to bureaucratic pressures. He described how administrative hurdles and unnecessary referrals between hospitals and GPs add to delays and workload.

  • Technology and Bureaucracy: There are issues with technology and GDPR preventing seamless communication between GPs and pharmacies, which could be streamlined to reduce GP workload and improve patient care.

  • Government Response: The Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, responded positively to demands for more face-to-face appointments, emphasizing that they are essential and that patients have a right to request them. He outlined new investments and reforms, including a significant funding uplift and efforts to reduce bureaucratic burdens on GPs.

  • Future Plans and Reforms: The government is working on a national cancer plan to improve cancer care, including quicker diagnoses and treatments. They aim to shift focus from hospitals to community health services and enhance digital technology in GP practices.

  • Patient Empowerment: The government reaffirmed its commitment to putting patients at the center of the NHS, emphasizing the importance of patient choice in healthcare delivery.

Divisiveness

The session on face-to-face GP appointments shows a high level of agreement among the speakers, resulting in a low rating of disagreement. The primary speaker, Richard Tice, presents a poignant personal story and a detailed critique of the current state of GP appointments, but he does so without directly confronting or debating with other members. Throughout the session, interventions from Jim Shannon and Lee Anderson, while adding additional points, do not challenge Tice’s narrative or propose alternative viewpoints. Instead, they reinforce his argument for more face-to-face appointments.

For example, Jim Shannon commends Tice on securing the debate and adds the local perspective from his constituency, agreeing that the system is not working and needs improvement, which complements Tice’s overall message. Lee Anderson’s intervention specifically aligns with Tice’s view, emphasizing that diagnoses should be made face to face rather than over the telephone.

The Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, also supports the push for more face-to-face appointments, reiterating the importance of the issue and outlining steps the Government is taking to improve access to GP services. He highlights the acceptance of the new GP contract, increased funding, and efforts to reduce bureaucracy, all of which are aligned with the goals expressed by Tice.

There are no instances of disagreement or points of contention raised during the session. Instead, all speakers contribute to a collective call for action to improve face-to-face GP appointments, which underscores the minimal disagreement within the session.