Demand at Bedfordshire GPs closer to pre-pandemic levels

Demand at GP surgeries in Bedfordshire jumped in June, figures show, with activity closer to pre-coronavirus levels.

The Patients Association welcomed the rising numbers of people accessing their doctor across England but warned continuing use of remote sessions must not become "the new normal” without assessing the benefits to patients.

NHS Digital data shows patients booked 182,790 appointments with practices in the NHS Bedfordshire CCG area in June – 25 per cent more than in May.

While this was still 5 per cent fewer than during the previous June, demand in May was down by 29 per cent year-on-year.

The NHS cautions that changes in how practices operate during the pandemic may have affected the figures, with remote consultations underreported.

The Royal College of GPs says demand at surgeries could soon surpass pre-crisis levels as people feel more confident accessing services.

Chairman Professor Martin Marshall said: “As normal services begin to resume, general practice will be at the forefront of dealing with the health consequences of the pandemic, as well as continuing to deliver routine GP services and an expanded flu vaccination programme and prepare for a potential second wave of Covid-19.

"It is essential that GPs and their teams have the necessary guidance, resources, and workforce capacity to manage these new challenges and continue to deliver good-quality care to patients.”

In Bedfordshire, 33 per cent of consultations were completed over the phone in June, up from just 13 per cent a year ago.

In a recent speech to the Royal College of Physicians, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the switch to more remote consultations had been “hugely positive”.

He called for all sessions to be done remotely unless there is a "compelling clinical reason not to”.

But chief executive of the Patients Association Rachel Power said the Secretary of State should publish evidence showing this works for patients.

She added: “Patients have put up with a great deal over recent months to help the NHS cope with an unprecedented emergency – often at considerable cost to their own health and wellbeing.

"Phone, online or other types of virtual appointments cannot be allowed to become the new normal without an assessment of the benefits to patients."