Pulse has today launched an e-petition for the Department of Health to step in and stop the threatening tide of GP practices closing amid funding swings.
The petition comes in the wake of warnings that over a hundred GP practices around the country are now at risk of having to close down due to destabilising of their funding streams.
Pulse investigations have so far uncovered at least 109 practices at risk, including around 30 in the capital alone.
While London is the worst-affected region so far, local GP leaders in Northamptonshire and Devon have also come forward warning they both have six practices under threat, while Doncaster, Leicestershire, Sunderland and Sussex LMCs have all reported practices are considering handing back contracts.
In Oxford, one GP practice closed earlier this month because it could not keep up with running costs, and another is due to close due to a lack of investment in premises.
The GPC has warned of a ‘perfect storm’ caused by the withdrawal of MPIG, PMS reviews and the GP recruitment crisis, ans several are facing closure because of delays in NHS England’s decision-making on urgent bids for premises development.
Since the start of the year, GPs around the country have taken matters in their own hands and organised marches to protect their practices. However their voices have gone unhead, with NHS England saying only last week that practices closing may not be a problem.
In launching the petition, Pulse editor Nigel Praities said: ‘This petition is for GPs, their patients and anyone who cares for the future of our health service. Without good GP services, there will be no NHS.’
