'It's just another sticking plaster policy' - despair and fatigue as GPs given more waiting time targets
22.09.2022 - 20:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
GPs in Greater Manchester have reacted with despair after the new Health Secretary announced plans demanding patients be given an appointment within two weeks.
Thérèse Coffey has pledged that patients with non-urgent health concerns will be handed appointments within 14 days, and a same-day urgent slot for those needing immediate care.
Ms Coffey also used her £500 million Our Plan for Patients to set out how the current 8am scramble for appointments could be eased, as the NHS rolls out new telephone systems.
READ MORE:Andy Burnham's Bee Network unveiled
Doctors both locally in the region, and nationally, have criticised the plan, with one Oldham GP branding the move a 'sticking plaster' tactic to hide the wider issues in the health care system.
Patients in Greater Manchester have also criticised the plans, with many stating that two weeks is still too long to wait to get an appointment with a doctor.
Zahid Chauhan OBE is a Labour councillor and GP in Oldham. Speaking to the M.E.N he said the plans failed to address the underlying issues in the sector, such as low morale and a shortage of GPs.
"It's just another sticking plaster policy," he said. "Realistically, most patients will see their GP within two weeks at the moment, and if the problem is urgent we will do our best to see them on the same day."
NHS Digital figures show that 15% – 3.9 million – of the 25.9 million GP appointments made in England in August occurred at least two weeks after the appointment was made.
Dr Chauhan called for Thérèse Coffey to come and spend a day with his GP colleagues and receptionists as he labelled the plans set out in the House of Commons today as a 'political stunt.'
"They need to look at the reason for having the GP system," he