The number of GPs across London has fallen by 246 since 2015, equivalent to 5% of the total.
The number of patients per GP practice across North London’s five boroughs has increased by 20% in just nine years, according to union analysis.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) analyzed official data and found the number of GPs has fallen by 246 (5%) across London since 2015, including eight in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. It was revealed that he was a doctor in the north-central London NHS area. and Camden Borough.
However, when the increase in patient numbers is also taken into account, the TUC found that the number of patients per GP increased by around 24% across London, and in the north-central London NHS region, the equivalent of a 20% increase.
Across the UK, the number of GPs has fallen by nearly 2,000 (6%) since 2010, despite repeated government promises to increase numbers, resulting in an 18% increase in patient numbers per GP. are doing.
The worst affected areas in London are the north-west of the capital, including the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster, where the number of patients per GP was Increased by 33%.
The TUC points out that in 2015 the then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt promised to recruit an additional 5,000 GPs by 2020. However, since 2015, the number of GP surgeries in the UK has fallen by 1,874 doctors.
NHS statistics released last month revealed that by November 2023, one in 10 patients will have been waiting more than two weeks to see a GP, and one in 20 will have been waiting more than a month. became.
The TUC said delays in accessing GP services were forcing some people to visit already strained accident and emergency departments instead, putting further strain on frontline services. It says that there are.
TUC regional secretary Sam Gurney said: ‘Everyone should be able to see their GP when they need to, but too many people in London have to wait weeks to get an appointment.
“This is not the fault of over-attending GPs; their numbers are much lower than they were in 2015.
“The Conservative Party has repeatedly promised to increase GP provision, but has led a significant decline in the number of local doctors in London.
“Failures to retain and recruit GPs are putting a huge strain on GP surgeries and the wider NHS as more patients are forced to use emergency services. It means losing days at work while waiting for medical care.”
On the need to fund public services in the next budget, Mr Gurney said: “The Prime Minister must take action and prioritize public services in the next budget, starting with addressing the chronic shortage of GPs. ” he added.
The North Central London Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for delivering NHS primary care across Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Camden, did not respond to requests for comment on the TUC’s analysis of the latest data.
