The increasing demands being placed upon GPs in the UK is putting patients at risk, says the Royal College of GPs (RCGP).
The organisation suggests the rise in consultations and bureaucratic complexities are putting GPs under pressure, leading to exhaustion and medical error.
There are 360 million GP consultations across the country every year, representing a 20% increase in the past five years.
However, the number of GPs has not been rising in accordance with demand, meaning there are now fewer GPs per person than in 2009.
All this means that waiting times are on the up, despite many GPs working 12 hour days.
The RCGP has said 3,300 more GPs are required, and that the current situation is putting patients at risk of harm.
“Protect patients from the risks”
It has called for a new system where practices can raise a distress signal if they are struggling to cope with their workload.
The RCGP has also recommended mandatory breaks in order to reduce the possibility of mistakes such as medication errors.
Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, emphasised the problem by comparing GPs to pilots and train drivers:
“Few of us would voluntarily board a place flown by a visibly tired pilot or get on a train where we knew the driver had spent too much time at the controls – yet there are no methods or systems for addressing doctor and staff fatigue in general practice”, she said.
“Our intention is not to panic patients but to send out a pre-emptive strike to ensure that we take steps now to protect patients from the risks arising from doctor and staff fatigue.”
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has promised to invest in the recruitment of 5,000 new GPs and a further 5,000 support staff.
Poor GP care
If substandard GP care has caused you or your family member harm, please contact us at Glynns Solicitors to find out if there is a case of medical negligence.
Share Article With:
|
|
|
|
|
|
