02 February 2007
Relations between health ministers and GPs cooled dramatically this week, despite figures showing reduced waiting times at general practices.
British Medical Association GPs' leader Hamish Meldrum called for an end to 'politically inspired doctor-bashing' and unwarranted criticism of family doctors.
GPs have been angered recently by ministers' plans to cap their pensions, and hints from Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt that she would seek to limit their earnings. The BMA is launching a judicial review of the former and will strenuously oppose attempts to impose an earnings ceiling.
In a letter sent to all 42,000 GPs in the UK, Meldrum said the profession faced many threats, including NHS deficits, private sector encroachment and malicious misinformation.
'The government may feel that by blaming GPs they will divert attention from where the real blame lies. They couldn't be more mistaken. They need a confident, co-operative general practice more than ever if they are to have some chance of getting the NHS out of its present shambles,' he said.
The latest figures on access were welcomed by both ministers and the BMA. A survey of 10,000 patients for the Department of Health found that 88% were offered an appointment within 48 hours, compared with around half in 1997. Three years ago 27% saw their GP on the same working day and this had increased to 41%.
Health minister Andy Burnham said the government's 48-hour access target was working. He added that 69% of those surveyed would be happy for surgeries to curtail opening hours between nine and five if they opened in the evenings and weekends.
'It's vital GP practices are open when patients want,' he said.
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