Chair of BMA GP Committee reveals Harwich's low GP numbers

Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, who is the chair of the BMA's England GP Committee, has voiced concern over the low number of doctors working in the east.

According to the health expert, the region boasts just 4,895 GPs, comprising 2,142 GP partners, 1,555 salaried GPs, 55 GP retainers, 153 locums, and 1032 GPs in training.

This means the East of England, which has a population of about 6,348,098 has 7.7 GPs per 10,000 people, which is lower than the 7.8 average for England.

“The East of England has some of the most deprived people and the lowest GP numbers," she added.

“It is a critical patient safety issue”.

Waiting - Dr Katie said GPs shortages could be explained by the low rate of 7.7 GPs per 10,000 people in the East of England (Image: Newsquest)

Harwich and Manningtree residents have now reacted to the findings, with Jimmy Dempsey saying he knows a few people "who nearly died because they couldn't get seen", and added: "one is only alive because they went to Colchester hospital instead of waiting the 4 days for a call back".

Sadie Akinleye said she didn't not even know who her doctor was, revealing she only sees her nurse.

While Margot Kram revealed how she was in a phone queue of over 40 for 55 minutes and said: "What chance for anyone without a smartphone?"

Meanwhile Denise Baldry said she did not understand why it was so hard to book appointments and the service is completely different post-pandemic. 

Katy Louise said she hadn't been able to see a GP for four years and has to go to A&E or hospital for herself or her two young children. 

While Geoff Smith said the government and Prime Minister had recently announced they have hit their target in making 50million more GP appointments available, and added: "I'd like to know where they are!". 

Dr Bramall-Stainer has now said that although many residents would be feeling frustrated about the waiting times, they must understand there are a “limited number of GPs and a limited number of hours”.

She added: “At the minute we are training more GPs than ever before.

"But with newly qualified GPs, only half take up NHS roles – we have got to make sure we retain staff."

Shortages - Dr Katie said low GP numbers effectively meant that across the country there's about 6 million patients who do not have GP access (Image: BMA)

Dr Bramall-Stainer also explained how some people on waiting lists often go straight to a private consultant instead which is “costly”.

Survival rates for those in the East of England is also a concern, with Dr Bramall-Stainer saying “we cannot stay silent and watch this scandal”.

The BMA GP Committee and the government are now set to meet on February, 1 for crunch talks ahead of potential GP strikes. 

“If we don’t mange to negotiate a safe contract for 2024/25, this will be the third year in the row," added Dr Bramall-Stainer.

“We can’t go on the way we are. I think we might have to start asking questions that haven’t been asked in a generation.

“We want to protect the communities across the regions."

In response to this article, a spokesman for NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We know how hard all the staff at GP practices are working for their patients during this incredibly busy time and we thank them for all they are doing.

“There is a wide team of health care professionals working at many surgeries, not only GPs, but also physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses and physician associates, enabling people to access the most appropriate care for their needs.

The spokesperson added that the ICB will continue too support GPs deliver "high quality" community services and added that you can find out more about different roles within GPs here.