Since I started a new job on Monday, somewhat unexpected as I only was roped in to do this job a week ago, I have had very little time to write.
Today even less so, only 185 words, bringing the total to 90866. That said, I wrote the epilogue yesterday and only edited two chapters today. 186 words is not bad for only editing.
The excerpt today is the epilogue, hope it gives rise to some thought.
Surely the life of a GP must have gotten easier by now? If that is the thought crossing your mind, I’m afraid you’re mistaken.
“But how about the promises the government made in recent years? 5000 extra GPs. That must have helped.”
Again, you’re mistaken. The government made this promise, one that was said to take place over a number of years. To be honest, I’m unsure where they will get the GPs from. So far, more and more GPs retire. Some retire early, like Dr J did, some retire when they really can’t go on any longer. Dr J knows one GP still going strong who is well into his nineties. Many more GPs are expected to retire over the coming years and the 5000 promised GPs may not be enough to cover those who are leaving. But where will those new GPs come from? It is difficult to see how these will be found, from abroad? But wasn’t that partially what Brexit was about? No longer recruiting from and allowing people to settle in the UK from abroad? Or is there some hidden lab where they are creating test tube GPs?
There have been voices raised about accelerated training. But how good would that training be? Would that still guarantee good care?
The honest answer is that I don‘t know what will happen or whether the government will be able to deliver on their promises or whether the work pressures will continue to increase as they are now.
What I do know is that John, Dr J’s husband, is still working. His partner retired, leaving him the only partner in the practice and left to care for over six thousand patients. John has regular locums and a salaried doctor working for him. However, if one of the doctors is ill, he will need to work harder to pick up the slack or even come in during his holiday. Only a few weeks ago, he needed to come into work every single day of his week holiday. This can’t go on. Everyone needs some down-time to be able to function properly. So far, he is doing really well and coping admirably. But, how long can this continue? How long will it remain safe to practise under this continuous pressure?
No one knows. I only recognise things need to improve if primary care is expected to continue to provide the best care to their patients. That is the thing which is most important to those working in primary care. Often they will neglect themselves to be able to give their patients their all. We can only hope that more doctors decide to become GPs and more help is put in place by the government. Simply piling on more responsibilities and requirements onto GPs and not providing the resources needed to deal with these is not something which will work. At least, not in the long run.
I hope you have enjoyed this little peek behind the scenes into the life of one GP and please bear this in mind if you go to see your doctor and he or she runs a little behind schedule. Possibly your doctor has been dealing with a complex problem and it might be you who needs a little more time the next time.
Joni
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