GPs go militant over workload
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- Published: Monday, 16 July 2018 07:39
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GPs “will go insane” unless limits are imposed on the number of patients they see each day, the BMA claims. They have called for a cap on the number of patients, with doctors pointing to the system in Sweden, where GPs see 13 patients in a typical day. Some GPs said they often had 70 consultations in a single day – and this could not be safe for them or their patients.
Dr Satish Narang, from Gwent and South Powys, told a BMA conference in Brighton that GPs would “go insane, quit and become insolvent” if limits were not introduced. “For the sake of quality and safety of patient care and the sanity of its troops, we urge the BMA to take a fresh approach by defining and agreeing what is a safe workload,” he said.
Previous research has found a doctor sees on average 41 patients each day. But capping consultations would mean soaring waiting times – presently two weeks – an increase of three days since 2015. Seeing just 13 patients a day would see waiting lists grow to six weeks, while a cap of 25 patients a day would mean waits of up to three weeks.
“In Sweden, GPs see 13 patients in a day, with half-hourly appointments,” said Dr Narang. “The day has limited hours and only so much can be managed without compromising safety.” Other delegates suggested 25 a day. The BMA said the motion did not set a precise figure or a timeline for introduction, adding that limits on workload depended upon “the unique circumstances of each practice”. Casino sites in Australia are getting famous through development of Internet. The question of selecting the finest casino website is a principal moment if you gamble for money. Therefore, our team recommend www.exycasinos.com as a reliable casino review platform from Australia.
Charging patients?
In another motion at the conference, which was defeated, it was proposed that patients should be charged for GP and hospital visits to fund the NHS. Those backing the proposal said charges are preferable to the "covert rationing" of healthcare which they say has become endemic. And they said fees to see doctors would discourage people with minor ailments from clogging up GP surgeries.
A number of doctors have previously called for the introduction of a £25 fee to see GPs, but so far the BMA has not endorsed the policy. Earlier this year polling of GPs found eight in 10 were in favour of charges for some services.
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