Shake-up puts patients at risk, warn GPS

Doctors also worry some smaller practices will struggle to survive

- Sentinel Reporter

GPS fear controversial new contract changes put patient safety at risk and threaten the survival of some smaller practices.

Doctors’ surgeries brought in a brand new system from Wednesday in a bid to end the ‘8am scramble’ for appointments. But GPs have warned the shakeup could flood surgeries with more work than they can handle. And the North Staffordshire General Practice Local Medical Committee (NSGPLMC) fears patients will face fewer appointments, less face-to-face care and longer waits. They want the Government to think again and design new contract changes that ‘strengthen general practice rather than weaken it’

Otherwise they say patients will ‘pay the price, with poorer care, reduced safety, and the loss of the trusted family doctor many rely on.’