College concerns over future of White Paper on Health Inequalities

Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Reports that the Government is considering dropping plans to tackle inequalities in health are deeply concerning.

“Practices serving more deprived populations receive around 7% less funding per patient and have around 10% more patients per GP, than those serving more affluent populations. The RCGP has been calling for extra funding for practices serving the most deprived populations to recruit and retain staff in under-doctored areas, as part of a comprehensive review of the formula which determines how resources are allocated.

“That is why we are part of the 155 organisations who have signed a letter today urging the Health and Social Care Secretary to publish the planned health disparities white paper. We need cross-governmental action to tackle the causes of health inequalities and lessen its impacts.”

Further information

RCGP Press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.