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Template letter to send to your local newspaper

Sir,

General practice in <TOWN>

General practice has been at the heart of the NHS since it began almost 70 years ago, but sadly, it’s time to face reality; GPs in <TOWN> and across the country are struggling to cope with falling funding, rising workload and staff shortages.

At my practice, I feel these pressures every day; <EXAMPLE OF PRESSURES FACING YOUR PRACTICE OR LOCAL AREA – E.G. WORKLOAD, NOT LONG ENOUGH WITH PATIENTS, FALLING RESOURCES>

Already, surgeries are closing across the country, with 72 practices closing last year, because there is an exodus of GPs retiring early or quitting for jobs overseas. With one in three GPs considering retirement in the next five years, and more than 600 GP trainee vacancies left unfilled, the government must act quickly to ensure general practice has a safe and sustainable future, and patients receive the high-level of care they deserve.

I echo the British Medical Association calls for increased funding, less box ticking, and more practice staff, to ensure that GPs have a safe, manageable workload, and are able to spend more time with patients. We understand patient’s frustrations at the lack of appointments or delays the treatment they need, but the pressures facing general practice are no longer sustainable. It is time for the government to give GP practices the resources and capacity they need to meet the challenges that are currently threatening to overwhelm the entire service.

Yours faithfully,

<NAME>

<TITLE AND AREA WHERE YOU WORK>