A growing number of MPs are supporting calls for increased GP funding, with 25 signing an early day motion to back the BMA’s ‘Your GP Cares’ campaign.
The motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat party president Tim Farron, calls for ‘immediate and sustained investment’ in GP care, which was being ‘compromised’ because of rising demand.
The motion was tabled two weeks ago but was still attracting signatures last week, and GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul is due to meet MPs at Westminster at a parliamentary reception to discuss it further tomorrow (Tuesday 1 July).
However, despite being tabled by the high-profile Liberal Democrat MP, only four other MPs from his party have signed the motion. Instead, most of those backing the call were Labour MPs, with just one Conservative MP getting behind it.
The motion said: ‘That this House welcomes the British Medical Association’s Your GP Cares campaign; recognises that the UK family doctor service is widely admired around the world; notes that the increased demand on general practice caused by demographic changes, more complex health needs and care moving out of hospitals is contributing to challenging pressures on the service and is therefore compromising the care GPs can provide to patients.’
It continued: ‘… further notes that NHS England for example estimates some 340 million consultations are undertaken every year, an increase of 40 million since 2008; believes that having more GPs, working as part of properly resourced practice teams, in buildings fit for purpose, would support the delivery of services that patients need and deserve; further believes that UK GPs care about the concerns of patients and want to find long-term, sustainable solutions to meet their needs; and calls for an immediate and sustained investment in general practice.’
