BBC GP survey provides little comfort for patients - Burstow

10.34.07am GMT Tue 9th Dec 2003

Commenting on a BBC survey showing that eight out of ten GPs would opt out of providing care outside surgery hours, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"The local GP is the cornerstone of the health service. Patients are facing enormous difficulties finding a GP; waiting longer and finding it harder to get care out of hours. These survey results will provide little comfort for patients.

"One of the main barriers to getting 'out of hours' care is the huge rise in GP vacancies which stretches many doctors to breaking point. The huge rise in GP vacancies casts in sharp relief the complacency of Government Ministers. Quite simply, the crisis is heading towards meltdown.

"The time-bomb of GP vacancies was set by the under-funding of the Conservatives but the bomb has kept ticking under Labour."