Recent plans to reduce NHS waiting lists for elective care have sparked both hope and frustration. While these initiatives aim to provide thousands of additional appointments for pre-planned and non-urgent treatments, they glaringly exclude mental health patients from their scope. This omission highlights the persistent disparity between how physical and mental health are prioritized in the UK.

Accessing GP services in the UK continues to pose a significant challenge, with millions of patients facing delays or being unable to secure appointments. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals the extent of the crisis, highlighting growing concerns about the state of primary healthcare.

Remote GP appointments, whether conducted online or by video, have grown steadily in popularity in recent years. In August, one in 20 GP appointments in England was conducted remotely, the highest proportion since such records began. This trend reflects the rising demand for convenient and accessible healthcare options that meet the needs of both patients and doctors.

The vision of “bringing back the family doctor” is increasingly unlikely, as fewer patients will see GPs in the coming decade. A report by Frontier Economics predicts that by 2034, only 70% of surgery appointments in England will be delivered by GPs, down from 90% in 2015. Instead, patients will more often see other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physiotherapists, or pharmacists.

Our article this week highlights a growing problem with already overstretched GP services on new-build estates. Whilst the infrastructure of services tries to catch up with new residents, we at 1Stop4aGP are here with an immediate solution.