GPs want to care for their patients, not fill in forms, says College Chair

RCGP Chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne has welcomed Health Secretary Wes Streeting's announcement to cut GP bureaucracy in his keynote address to RCGP annual conference this morning.

Professor Hawthorne said: “We're really pleased that the Secretary of State has chosen the RCGP's annual conference to deliver his first speech to the profession since taking office.

"It's encouraging that he is listening and has taken heed of what we have asked for in our manifesto to free up GPs to spend more time with patients through cutting red tape - GPs go into the profession to care for patients, not to fill in forms. Our members say they're spending a third of their time on unnecessary workload and bureaucracy.

"General practice is the front door of the NHS, but it has faced years of underfunding and neglect and is now seriously struggling.  

"The Health Secretary's commitment to increase the proportion of resources going into primary care has the potential to turn things around, but this can only happen if we work together. Additional resources are needed now in general practice, and the forthcoming Budget will be the ideal opportunity to start delivering this.

“It is not for the RCGP to get involved with contract negotiations or influence if and how practices participate in collective action. No GP will want to restrict the services they provide for their patients - but we have raised significant concerns that the current GP contract is failing to provide GPs and their patients with the support that they need.

"The College has been clear that we want to see an urgent resolution to the collective action and we urge the Government and the BMA to find a fair resolution that will allow GPs to do their jobs and patients to receive the care they need."

Further information

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

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 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.