GPs 'horrified' by PCT cuts

GPs in North Yorkshire are 'horrified' at new plans by their PCT to cut local health services in a desperate effort to claw back its £24.5m deficit.

Changes proposed by North Yorkshire and York PCT include telling about half of all A&E

patients to seek alternative help from GPs, walk-in centres and minor injury units.

The trust has also cut the county's out-of-hours service to one doctor, from two GPs and a standby.

Dr Brian McGregor, a GP in York and member of North Yorkshire LMC, said the proposals showed 'scant regard' for public health. He said there was no mention of how GPs would be resourced to cope with the additional strain of taking on work from A&E.

'There is a strain, we're at

crisis point. You could say we're beyond crisis point in York.'

Dr John Givans, North

Yorkshire LMC secretary, said: 'GPs are horrified by the current proposals.'

A PCT spokesperson said it was aware of the impact the change would have, but added 'the financial position of the PCT means we must take action now to avoid even more difficult decisions in the future'.