Family doctors are “a thing of the past” and only half of patients can always or even sometimes see the same family doctor, according to a study.
Critics called the lack of continuity a ‘scandal’ that makes care difficult and forces patients to waste time repeating their medical history at each visit.
According to a survey of 2,339 patients for the Liberal Democrats, 57 per cent have visited a GP more than once in the last two years, and 20 per cent required more than five appointments. But only 52 percent say they “always” or “sometimes” see the same doctor.
Meanwhile, 29 percent said they “rarely” saw the same doctor and 18 percent “never” saw the same doctor, rising to 27 percent of those 65 and older.
This is despite research showing that seeing the same GP helps older people avoid hospital admissions and improves the quality of treatment.
A woman talking to a family doctor. According to a new survey, family doctors are “a thing of the past” and only half of patients can always or even sometimes see the same GP (file image)
The Liberal Democrats commissioned the survey of 2,339 patients. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “It is a scandal that, under Government supervision, the family GP has become a thing of the past.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) said in 2022 that booking a GP appointment would soon be like ordering a taxi, with patients being allocated a different doctor each time.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for everyone over 70 and patients with long-term physical or mental illnesses to have access to a designated doctor. The policy would cover around 19 million people. Party leader Sir Ed Davey said: “It is a scandal that, under Government supervision, the family GP has become a thing of the past.”
“Pensioners are not receiving the care they need because doctors’ offices are overcrowded, causing waiting times to get out of control.” The research also found that 46 per cent of adults who have visited a GP more than once in recent years now find the wait for an appointment ‘considerably longer’, rising to 55 per cent. of those 65 years or older.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in 2022 that booking a GP appointment would soon be like hailing a taxi, with patients being allocated a different doctor each time.
The former Health Secretary warned that the ‘uberisation’ of primary care threatens the precious relationship people have with their family doctor.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne of the Royal College of GPs said: “The reality is that we do not have enough GPs to ensure continuity of care for all patients.”