Crumbling GP surgeries and outdated tech failing millions of NHS patients

MILLIONS of patients are being failed by dilapidated GP surgeries and obsolete computer systems, doctors warn.

- Giles Sheldrick

Medics already struggling to cope with record demand say the appalling state of infrastructure is inadequate for providing care. In the emergency's clearest yet sign, nearly one-third said their work PC or laptop software was not fit for purpose.

More claimed their practice building was below the required standard, according to polling by the Royal College of GPs, which represents more than 54,000 family doctors.

Its chairwoman, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, said: "Issues with GP infrastructure need to be addressed as a matter of urgency if we are going to rescue primary care.

"We're calling on the Government to dedicate at least £2billion worth of funding to improve GP infrastructure, including IT systems, so GPs and their teams can do their jobs properly and our patients' experience and access to care is no longer compromised.

"Our polling shows the true extent of the crisis. This is a far cry from what our patients expect and deserve."

Demand