| Our area is one of the worst hit areas in the country by the growing shortage of GPs.
The figures show there is was just one GP per 2,462 people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes in June 2021, compared to the national average of one GP per 2,038 people and is up 18% from the one GP per 2,092 people five years ago. The number of GPs employed in the area has also fallen by 12% to just 390 in the same period.
The alarming figures, based on analysis by the House of Commons Library, revealed the stark “postcode lottery” facing patients. Further analysis by the British Medical Association (BMA) shows a dismal picture for the country as a whole, with there being the equivalent of over 1,900 fewer fully qualified, full-time GPs now than there were in 2015.
The Government are badly letting down both GPs and patients in Bedford Borough, our residents deserve a fair deal. Instead of fixing the GP shortage crisis, the Government are making it worse by failing to train the new doctors we desperately need.
Our hard-working GPs are overstretched and people have been left waiting too long for treatment or even an appointment. The Government must invest more in our GP practices and train up more doctors, to ensure patients get the fair deal they deserve.
Families rely on being able to see a GP when they or their children fall sick to get advice, access treatment and get well again. I’m concerned with the diagnoses that will inevitably be missed.
To show your support for the campaign to call for a fair deal for Bedford Borough with an increase in the number of GPs in our area, please sign my petition at https://bedfordlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/gp-shortage.
Coronavirus Snapshot
The Prime Minister has announced the ending of the Plan B restrictions, from Thursday 27th face coverings are no longer required in shops or public transport, although I would urge people to remain cautious and think of others and continue to wear face coverings on public transport and enclosed spaces that are small or crowded.
In this week’s Coronavirus Snapshot we have seen 2,178 new cases across Bedford Borough in the week to 16th January. Sadly we have had another two deaths in the week ending 7th January. You can see the weekly Snapshot here.
134,833 of those aged 12 and over have now had at least one dose of the vaccine, 124,742 have had their second dose and 92,201 have had their Booster. You can find out information about the various vaccinations sessions, including for the booster vaccination at https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/.
Best wishes,
Dave
PS – Please do support the campaign calling for a fair deal for Bedford Borough with an increase in the number of GPs in our area, by signing the petition here.
Although this message has been put out by the LibDems, the posting of this message does not apply endorsement of any party by the Parish Council. |