Patient News

You have probably noticed that something is wrong. Look at the difficulty you have in getting an appointment at your local surgery. When you do get through, it may not be an appointment with a GP at all. Have you lost your regular family doctor? You are not alone. The past decade has seen us lose far too many surgeries and thousands of GPs.

General Practice is collapsing. Every practice across England is struggling to keep its doors open.    

We value our patients. We know that most patients value us too, especially when they need us regularly. You know we can deal with most of your health problems, keep you out of hospital, and have your best interests at heart. The problem is with the mismanagement of the NHS.  
Your GP is an expert in general medical practice – trained over 10 years to deal with complex problems, spot serious symptoms, and decide when you need specialist help at the hospital.  

But did you know that your practice receives just £107.57 per year for each patient, whatever their health needs. That’s less than the cost of an annual TV licence.  

It’s just 30p a day for every patient registered with us – less than the cost of an apple.  

We believe general practice deserves a bigger slice of NHS funding so we can train and hire more GPs, deliver the services you require and make it easier for you and your loved ones to get appointments to see your GP and practice team.  

GPs want the same things that you do. We believe nobody should struggle to see their family doctor.  

General Practice should be as it once was – a familiar family doctor, offering continuity of care in a surgery full of friendly familiar faces within a safe building where you knew you would get the care you needed.  

How can you support your family doctor?  

Talk to any election candidate who you come across  

When candidates from the political parties come knocking on your door, ask them what they will do to save general practice. What will they do so you can see a GP in a modern local surgery?

This film explains the range of health professionals who work together within your local General Practice, to help you get the right care when you need it.

In addition to GPs, General Practice teams can include nurses, physiotherapists, clinical pharmacists, mental health practitioners, paramedics, social prescribing link workers, and health and wellbeing coaches. The Reception Team is trained to discuss your medical concern thoroughly and confidentially, so you can be seen by the right health professional for your situation.

If you need to see a GP you will always be offered an appointment, but there may be other health professionals who can provide the most appropriate support.

Your General Practice team is here to help you. To find out more about the support that is on offer at general practices, visit https://nhs.uk/GPservices

Interview between Whitewater and the PPG and Contact Magazine in Hartley Wintney with various questions and answers about the practice and the NHS.