Sheffield councillor fears long waits to see a GP means ‘people will die needlessly this winter’

Data from NHS England reveals that in June 17% of South Yorkshire NHS patients did not get an appointment at their GP surgery last time they tried to make one.

In the same month, 40,438 people had to wait more than 28 days for a surgery appointment and 27 per cent of appointments were not face to face in the surgery or home visits.

The Government has admitted it is failing to meet its manifesto pledge to recruit more GPs, said Coun Ben Miskell and his Labour colleague Coun Ruth Milsom, who represents Crookes and Crosspool.

Coun Miskell, who represents Park and Arbourthorne, said: “Every week I hear from concerned residents who are struggling to see a GP because this government is failing to staff our health service.

“As a teacher by trade, I see kids missing out on school because they cannot get an appointment and older people in my ward with health conditions that are worsening because of a lack of access to primary care.

“People will die needlessly this winter because they cannot see a GP and the government needs to urgently get a grip of the situation.

“Everyone I speak to in South Yorkshire simply wants the NHS to be given what it needs to see people on time, they aren’t interested in yet more excuses.”

Coun Milsom, chair of Sheffield’s health scrutiny committee that oversees NHS services, said: “I find these figures very frightening but it’s crucial not to lay the blame at GPs’ doors.

“Chronic under-investment and mismanagement by the Conservatives has put unbelievable strain on healthcare professionals.

‘GPs are simply not being supported’

“It has a direct effect on patients’ health and well-being, so primary care is unable to fulfil its objective of keeping people well and out of hospital. GPs are simply not being supported to cater for the needs of their patients.”

Dr David Crichton, chief medical officer at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “Our GP practices across South Yorkshire are working incredibly hard to provide essential health care to our local residents, providing more appointments than ever before.

“Yet, we need to be in no doubt about the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on patient care and staffing.

“Face-to-face appointments have been available throughout the pandemic for those assessed as needing to be seen and practice teams continue to adapt and work in innovative ways to accommodate telephone and video consultations.

“GP practices have worked hard to cope with the additional demand on services, including employing more staff in different professional roles, such as; pharmacist, physiotherapists, podiatrist, dieticians and many more.

“Additional funding and support has also been shared across South Yorkshire to provide even more appointments at evening and weekends and we are also investing in additional technology to improve e-consultations and telephone lines.

“There are also many other avenues to seek healthcare advice including NHS 111 telephone and online services, local community pharmacies and extended access healthcare hubs.”

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