‘We are taking part in the national collective action; we will continue to provide safe levels of clinical care for our patients.’

Dear Patients

We wanted to give you an update in relation to our decision to support the National Collective Action being taken by GP practices across the country.

For clarity we are NOT striking nor are we taking Industrial Action!

We can assure you that this is a collective response to ever increasing demands and pressures placed on primary care. With inadequate funding to meet those demands.

We will continue to work within our GP contract however there will be some small changes to support the national collective action.

GPs Are on Your Side:

We’re taking this action because general practice is collapsing in England.

Practices are struggling to stay open, and patients are waiting far too long for an appointment.

This is because general practice isn’t getting nearly enough funding to handle demand.

It also means that many practices can’t afford to hire the extra GPs they need, like locums, trained GPs who want to see patients.

Currently (for 2024/25), only 6% of the overall NHS budget goes to core (guaranteed) funding for general practice.

This equates to just £107.57 per year for each patient, whatever their health needs. That’s less than the cost of an annual TV licence. Or, it equates to just 30p a day – less than the cost of an apple.

We need safety, stability, and hope. Safety now, stability in next year’s contract, and hope in long-term commitments to support our profession.

GPs and patients want the same thing: to be able to see their familiar family doctor quickly and easily, in a surgery that is safe, well-staffed and local to them.

We are excited to share the results from our June 2024, Friends and Family response data:

• Overall Recommendation Rate: Over 96% of patients who took the test stated that they found our service very good or good.
• Key Themes:
  • Positives: Patients praised our caring and knowledgeable staff and highlighted our clean and comfortable premises.
  • Areas for Improvement: Some patients mentioned a delay in being seen by the clinician/waiting times.

Actions We're Taking

In response to your feedback, we are implementing the following changes:

• Reduced Wait Times: We are optimising our scheduling system to ensure that appointment wait times are minimised.

Addressing Unforeseen Circumstances

Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances arise that require GPs to spend extended consultation time with certain patients or to prioritise urgent situations or emergencies. Regrettably, this is unavoidable and cannot be mitigated, as our foremost priority is to ensure that every patient receives the necessary care and attention. While this may occasionally lead to delays, please be assured that should you require additional time with your GP, it will be accommodated. Your health and well-being are our utmost priorities, and we are dedicated to addressing your concerns comprehensively and thoroughly.