PMQs: Raab challenged over GP crisis in his own constituency
EMBARGO: For Immediate Release
Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney has challenged Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab over the GP crisis in his own backyard.
She raised the case of health services in his constituency of Esher and Walton, where it’s been reported GP surgery staff are ‘crumbling under pressure’ due to increased workload. Sarah Olney challenged Raab to explain what he has to say to “patients left in pain and staff left in tears, including in his own constituency, due to his government’s failed promise to recruit more GPs.”
Analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that there are now over 500 fewer GP surgeries across the country than in 2019, while the number of fully qualified GPs has fallen by 850 since then.
The exchange came as the Liberal Democrats launched their party’s local election campaign with a pledge to recruit more GPs. This would be achieved through increasing training places for GPs, a programme to retain experienced doctors and staff, and launching a recruitment drive to encourage those who’ve left the NHS to return.
Speaking, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney said:
“Dominic Raab’s response today showed his clear failure to understand the problems facing GPs and patients not just across the country, but even in his own constituency.
“For too long, this Conservative Government has taken voters for granted, and today’s response was just yet another example of just how out of touch they are.
“People just want strong local health services but years of Government neglect has caused a GP shortage crisis, leaving people unable to see their local doctor when they need to, and medical staff facing unmanageable workloads.
“Liberal Democrats would guarantee people a right to a GP appointment within one week so people can get the care they deserve. Boosting GP numbers would not only help people get appointments, it would reduce pressure on our hospitals and paramedics, saving crucial time and money elsewhere in the NHS.”
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Esher and Walton, Monica Harding said:
“People in Esher and Walton and across Surrey are suffering under Conservative mismanagement of our NHS. Hard working doctors are being pushed to breaking point, and patients here are paying the price. The choice in Esher and Walton, and across Surrey could not be more clear: rising waiting lists and an NHS in crisis under the Conservatives, or real action to save our Health Service with the Liberal Democrats.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Original Surrey Live Article with report of GP conditions here.
Text of Sarah Olney’s PMQ is here:
“Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker,
Shockingly, an article in Surrey Live last year reported that staff at a GP practice in Walton were left in tears and “crumbling under pressure”, due to the increased workload caused by staff shortages.
Is this any wonder when there are 850 fewer GPs across the country since 2019.
So, what does the Deputy Prime Minister say to those patients left in pain and staff left in tears, including in his own constituency, due to his government’s failed promise to recruit more GPs?”
Sources:
Number of Practices Source: NHS Digital - Appointments in General Practice - 2023 - Tab 3a
Number of Practices Source: NHS Digital - Appointments in General Practice - 2019 - Tab 3a
