#GPnews: Health bodies respond to Grenfell Tower tragedy

14:50 The London Ambulance Service has responded to the tragic fire in Kensington, London, today.

Its director of operations Paul Woodrow said: ’Following this morning’s fire at Grenfell Tower, west London, we have treated and taken 64 patients to six hospitals across London, where 20 people are currently in critical care. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

’Over 100 of our medics have been working hard to respond to this incident, including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, advanced trauma teams from London’s Air Ambulance and those staff managing the incident in our special operations centre. Our hazardous area response teams are also on scene, who carry specialist equipment including breathing apparatus. We’ve been treating patients for a range of injuries, as well as for smoke inhalation.

’A major incident has been declared and we continue to work closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene.

’Members of the public who are concerned about friends and relatives should contact the police Casualty Bureau on 0800 096 1233.

’We urge Londoners to only call us in a genuine emergency and to call NHS 111 for urgent healthcare advice.’

Meanwhile, NHS England (London), issued a statement: ’Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic incident at the Grenfell tower block in Kensington. Our priority as the NHS is to continue to work closely with emergency services and all organisations involved. We have tried and tested measures in place to manage this but we would also encourage Londoners to use NHS services wisely and seek advice from NHS 111 in the first instance.’

9:25 The front page of the Daily Mail today proclaims that GPs are being replaced by ’cut-priced medics’ – also known as physician associates.

It is something that has been around for a while, with Pulse reporting extensively on them. They were even a central part of NHS England’s GP Forward View.

DAILY MAIL: Cut-price doctor will see you now #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/pm0bqj9DJI

— Helena Lee (@BBCHelenaLee) June 13, 2017

There isn’t much new in the Mail’s story – which picks up that there are 3,000 physician associates being trained – but the Mail’s special slant has been criticised by some GPs:

I find this irresponsible journalism and highly offensive to the dedicated and skilled PAs that work in the #NHS and complement Dr workforce https://t.co/aam0Ux6W3U

— James (@Jkbmedic) June 14, 2017

Yes – if used appropriately, and supported, PAs can be a real asset. It’s not like we have thousands of spare GPs lying around anyway…

— Heather Ryan (@DrHFRyan) June 14, 2017