Primary care must remain the bedrock of the NHS

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/08/primary-care-must-remain-the-bedrock-of-the-nhs

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We read with concern but not surprise that 10% of London practices may close (Report, 6 July). Limehouse is a long-established practice that provides high-quality care despite serving a highly deprived population of 11,000 patients. Despite negotiations with NHS England over the past year, pointing out our significant losses with removal of the minimum practice income guarantee, we are no nearer to financial reprieve. Primary care remains the bedrock of the NHS as highlighted by the Commonwealth Fund report last year. It will allow containment of healthcare costs despite increasing complexity and demand. Jeremy Hunt’s new deal asks GPs to do more and we are innovative and excited, but we can’t deliver without resources.

Like all inner-city GPs we are committed to the work we do, often in challenging circumstances, and we have worked beyond contractual demands because we are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of our population. However, continued changes undermine all that makes our work rewarding. We have asked for investment in core services, otherwise non-recurring money, such as for seven-day opening, destabilises practices further. We ask that what we do best is supported: providing continuity for vulnerable patients who want to see their own GP.

We wait to see if we remain viable but with predicted losses of nearly 20% of our income, can we survive? If we close, where will our patients go when neighbouring practices are at maximum capacity? Ultimately, primary care becomes unviable, leaving vulnerable patients without GPs, accessing healthcare through our A&Es at far greater cost.

The time has come to separate GP remuneration from patient services and ensure investment in primary care delivers the best outcomes everywhere through increased and fair primary care funding. Practices like ours cannot wait for a new funding formula review in 2017. The crisis is now.Naureen Bhatti, Aiysha Jawaid, Tariq Khan, Kirsten Shirke, Jennie Read, Ruth Vickers, Warwick YoungGP partners and practice manager, Limehouse practice, Tower Hamlets

• Jeremy Hunt’s proposal (Report, 4 July) that the cost of prescriptions over £20 be printed on packets, with the legend “Paid for by the UK taxpayer” plainly does not go far enough. On being discharged from hospital, patients should be given a letter, signed by the chief accountant, stating how much the treatment has cost the taxpayer; when pensioners outlive their standard life expectancy, they should receive a monthly reminder with their state pension of how much their longevity is costing the taxpayer; on leaving school, children should … I think you get the idea.John HaighBrighton