"Service has massively deteriorated"

Dear Patient

I am sorry to hear that you feel that the service has deteriorated.

You may not be aware that in late 2015 to mid 2016 the practice experienced significant pressures to the point where closure of the practice was considered.

We have made numerous and significant improvements with several new doctors and have 3 pharmacists working at the practice who can assist with medication queries as well as range of other issues.

We have upgraded our practice website and telephone system, so I am sorry to hear that you feel the service has deteriorated.

I fear that you may not be fully appreciating the challenges the health service is under nationally.

The population has expanded and demographics have changed, with most service users being elderly; people with long term illnesses now living longer; new diseases have evolved; medicines and diagnostics have become costly and people are increasingly reliant on the NHS for every difficulty they encounter in their daily lives.

The NHS and particularly General Practice is facing a financial crisis, the NHS remains significantly underfunded as well as a recruitment crisis. A record numbers of practices closed in England last year with more than one surgery closing each week. More than eight out of 10 GPs in England described their workload as ‘unmanageable’.

Despite a government pledge to increase the number of doctors working in general practice by 5,000 by 2020/21, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs fell by 0.3 per cent in 2016. Around 17 per cent of the GP workforce (5,700 FTE) is over the age of 55 and while more GP trainees are being recruited this is not yet having an impact on overall numbers.

We do certainly try our best and for every negative feedback we receive there are hundreds of patients that have had positive experiences with the care we have provided.

I would however recommend that you register for our online services which are available via various apps, through which you can make, check, cancel and change an appointment, request repeat prescriptions, check your medical records and test results.

Should you wish to meet with the practice management to discuss your concerns we would be more than happy to do so.

Kind regards

The Law Medical Group Practice.